Food Banks: The “Band-aid” Solution

As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic spreads and millions of Americans file for unemployment, another pandemic gains momentum: food insecurity. During the week of Thanksgiving, the lines at food banks grew longer and longer, with no end in sight.  For many Americans, the COVID-19 pandemic was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Now, families across the country are going hungry. 

As a result of the crisis, demand for food banks has skyrocketed. Over 80 percent of food banks are serving more people now than they did in 2019. A viral video from March shows drone footage of a miles-long line of cars awaiting emergency food. 

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. More Americans are visiting food banks than ever before—and many of them are getting help for the first time.  

Congress continues to falter in their attempts to pass a COVID-19 aid bill; their inaction has consequences. Today, millions of people are flooding a charitable food system that was never intended to handle a national crisis.  

A Brief History Lesson 

For a one-time emergency, food banks can be incredibly helpful to communities. Food banks play a major role in the food aid sector by delivering resources to food pantries. Food pantries then distribute groceries to food-insecure families. Some food pantries serve as a store, while others deliver food directly. 

St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, Arizona is widely recognized as the first American food bank. St. Mary’s was founded in 1967.  At the time, American society had “rediscovered” hunger—this was a shocking revelation to many wealthy Americans. As a result, politicians and Congress lobbied for improved welfare up until the 1980s. Food banks were seen as a backup option for Americans who didn’t qualify for food stamps. 

The election of President Reagan in 1981 came with severe budget cutbacks.  Social welfare programs, such as food stamps, suffered. In order to fill the needs of the hungry, food banks and pantries stepped in. Ninety percent of American food banks were established after Reagan was elected.  

While food banks have an important role, knowing that they began as a substitute for welfare expansion helps to explain why we cannot rely on charitable food aid programs to solve nationwide hunger. 

The “Band-aid” 

In American society today, food banks operate as a “band-aid” fix to food insecurity. Food banks do more to maintain the status quo than create a positive impact.  

A study in the National Library of Medicine found that “while food banks play an important role in providing immediate solutions to severe food deprivation, they are limited in their capacity to improve overall food security outcomes”. Food banks are limited in their ability to provide nutrient-dense foods (like dairy, vegetables, and fruits).  

Dasia Toone, the President of Carolina Cupboard, spoke on the challenges the Cupboard faces on a regular basis. Carolina Cupboard is the on-campus food pantry at UNC-Chapel Hill, providing food at no cost to food-insecure students.

“Part of decreasing the stigma around food insecurity is making [food banks] feel like a regular grocery store—because it is.”

Dasia Toone

“Part of decreasing the stigma around food insecurity is making [food banks] feel like a regular grocery store—because it is.”  Some research shows that shame associated with using food banks can decrease efficacy. State-run services have less negative stigma, making them a more viable option. 

“Sometimes the band-aid is nice to stop the bleeding,” says Dasia, “But eventually, you will need more care. It is temporarily useful.” 

The rise of food banks and other charitable food models has eroded support for necessary welfare and support.  Food banks are inefficient in providing food to one in six Americans—they weren’t designed to create that level of relief.  

Food banks are a treatment for the problem, not a solution. 

Temporary Relief and Systematic Change 

As a society, we have to start considering ways we can create real change. What can you do? You can donate money to your local food bank—skip the unwanted canned green beans. You can research local organizations and volunteer. You can read Grace’s article on supporting food banks.  You can even organize a virtual food drive. 

But even more importantly than all those temporary action items, you need to change your perspective.

“Emergency food helps to maintain food security, but when you start talking about the root causes of hunger and long-term solutions, the idea becomes how do we lift people out of systemic poverty, and then you have to start thinking about housing and fair wages and the building of a safety network. It’s not something that will be built overnight,”

Greg Silverman

“Emergency food helps to maintain food security, but when you start talking about the root causes of hunger and long-term solutions, the idea becomes how do we lift people out of systemic poverty, and then you have to start thinking about housing and fair wages and the building of a safety network. It’s not something that will be built overnight,” said Greg Silverman, Executive Director of the West Side Campaign Against Hunger. 

Consider the ways in which people are forced into this system. Consider why people go hungry every year. Consider who is represented through our government, and who isn’t. Consider a raised minimum wage, paying people fairly, and your inherent biases towards homelessness. 

Use Effective Altruism to guide how you do good and create change. You can read about Erika’s experience with effective altruism for more ideas. 

Food banks do important work to meet immediate needs. But it won’t be enough to get millions of Americans through an economic crisis that has exasperated existing inequities. 

Novel Hand’s goal is to bridge the gap between the passion to do good and the means to effectively do so. This holiday season, join us in doing that by considering a financial gift or by using your time to learn and challenge your perspective.