The coronavirus has increased the demand for items at at least one of the region’s food banks. Maj. Ken Perine from the Salvation Army says it is expanding the hours for its food bank, due to strong demand.
“The first couple of weeks we saw a 30% increase in the number of people coming in. Last week we saw a 50% increase in people coming to the food bank.” Perine said.
Most of those customers, he says, are new to his facility. For now, he says, the food bank has enough supply to handle the demand. But he says it’s barely hanging on when it comes to cleaning supplies.
“We need hand sanitizer, travel size, and surgical masks. We need toilet paper and cleaning supplies, meaning the disinfectant wipes and soap," Perine said.
The Salvation Army continues to operate its two shelters and transitional housing units, asking its clients to stay inside and sufficiently distanced from others.
The agency is asking for donations and for volunteers aged 18-to-64 who can work shifts in the food bank. You’ll need to supply your own masks. You can go to the Salvation Army of Spokane website - MakingSpokaneBetter.org - to find more about that.