Facebook Expands Initiatives To Fight Hunger

MENLO PARK, CA — Facebook is expanding initiatives to help those in need as food insecurity grows throughout the country amid the pandemic.

The social media giant launched November Thanksgiving box donations this year to help Bay Area families in need and said it will bring back its spring a COVID-response program that paired local restaurants with at-risk communities.

For next month and most of 2021, Facebook said it will purchase meals to donate to local families — helping restaurants like Cafe Zoe and Dashi Sushi keep the lights on, and employees on payroll.

Facebook said it will also deliver the food to local neighbors, food banks, pantries, homeless shelters, frontline healthcare workers (places like Dignity Health Urgent Care), and others working to address food stability needs.

“This year’s holidays are unlike any other, with 40% of Americans experiencing food insecurity,” the social media giant said in a statement.

“Recognizing this, Facebook is adapting and expanding innovative food stability efforts to meet the needs of those most affected in the Bay.”

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Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.