As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States, businesses have closed and unemployment has reached levels not seen since the Great Depression. As a result of these changes, food insecurity skyrocketed in communities large and small. Since 2001 the percentage of homes experiencing food insecurity has hovered between 13-16%. In April of 2020, almost 25% of all households were experiencing food insecurity issues.
Many individuals, non-profits, and foundations significantly increased their giving to help address the challenges afflicting their neighbors. While food insecurity is not a focus of AVDF’s regular philanthropic giving, we are grateful that our founder gave the AVDF Board discretion to direct funds towards urgent needs in our country. In past years, AVDF has added funds to its annual giving that were aimed at addressing emergencies such as natural disasters. This year, the AVDF Board approved the distribution of donations totaling $600,000 to address food insecurity in a dozen communities around the country, including Atlanta, New York City, and Minneapolis. $100,000 of that total was donated to the First Coast Relief Fund in Northeast Florida, the home of the Foundations’ offices.
Serena Davis Hall, AVDF’s Board Chair said, “We recognize the significant challenges being faced by families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic across the country. AVDF joins with many others in seeking to address food insecurity, especially as it affects the young and vulnerable.”
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