Imperial Valley Food Bank continues to feed families in need

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA, KECY)- Maria Ibarra is one of the tens of thousands of residents who are struggling to put food on the table.

Ibarra said, "A lot of help for the people and older people especially. They run out of money, at the end of the month or before, they can have all this food that they need for the rest of the month."

But thanks to the Imperial Valley Food Bank, Ibarra, and her family will have something to fill the pantries.

"We didn't expect this at the stores. We didn't expect to see empty shelves when we go. We didn't believe it."

To reduce the chances of contamination, Jessica Espinoza, an official from the Calfresh Outreach Department said the food bank will temporarily not rely on volunteers and staffers are taking precautions.

"We're now wearing gloves while we bag all the can goods, all the fresh produce. We're wearing masks when we have direct contact with clients."

According to Warehouse Managers, James Taylor, food bank is also changing the way residents collect their goods.

"The way we're going it now is we're asking people to stay in their cars. And we are physically taking everything to them and loading it up."

Robert Miller, a board member for the United Methodist Church in Holtville, is one of the many local agencies that depend on the food bank to serve communities battling food insecurity.

"It's very important to us to put the food out to the people. It's a lot of work, we got a lot of volunteers from the community that come and help us."

But with emergency food running low, Taylor said they'll need the community to lend a hand.

"Can goods or anything non-perishable. And also funds if they want to donate some money we can always use that."

To support the Imperial Valley Food Bank you can go on their social media page or call them at (760) 370-0966.