Feed Thy Neighbor: Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico

Greater Good Charities, The Hunger Site, 12 Tomatoes and renowned actor Chris Pratt partnered together last December to help fight the increase in hunger caused by the economic implications of the coronavirus. Our Feed Thy Neighbor campaign launched in mid-December, culminating with a New Year’s Eve event hosted by Mr. Pratt where he invited friends and colleagues to bring attention to the cause.

The campaign raised $648,444 in one month, and 100% of the funds were distributed between Feeding America and 20 on-the-ground food banks across America in regions with high food insecurity. One of the grant recipients was Puerto Rico’s Banco de Alimentos. With the highest food insecurity rate in the nation, they consequently received a $20,000 grant to help the communities they serve.

Banco de Alimentos (BAPR) works to serve 1.1 million people in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, through its many programs, including those for seniors and children. One such program is their Happy Backpack program. This supplies food backpacks to children 3-12 years of age who heavily rely on school as their source of food. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, BAPR has seen a 13% increase in enrollment in this program alone, the number of program participants totaling 810 children.

The funds the organization received through Feed Thy Neighbor will benefit all their programs. The grant is being used to purchase computers and other program-enhancing warehouse and inventory software to help with the logistics of every program they provide. This will allow their warehouse to work more efficiently, thus engendering even more impact.

Puerto Rico is not the only community negatively impacted by the pandemic. In 2020, more than 50 million people experienced food insecurity, including 17 million children, because of the effects of the pandemic. A survey by Feeding America revealed that 40% of people seeking services from food banks are doing so for the first time in their lives because of COVID-19.

What does this mean? Your dollars are still needed! Every dollar collected will continue to help combat the food insecurity problem onset by these unprecedented times. To donate or learn more, visit feedthyneighbor.greatergood.com today!