The world has drastically changed since COVID-19 forced millions of people to work from home and shelter in place.
For places like the New Albany Food Pantry, getting meals to families that are struggling right now is critical.
Since the stay-at-home order began, the pantry served 33,000 meals to 600 people in which 47% were children, according the pantry’s Facebook page.
But the pantry was in desperate need of a delivery truck. Facebook, which opened a data center in New Albany in 2017, stepped in.
“We’re honored to partner with the New Albany- Plain Local Schools to meet the needs of the community,” said Amber Tillman, Facebook’s Community Development Regional Manager at Facebook of the near $38,000 funding it gave to the school district to purchase a box truck.
“Facebook is an incredible community partner,” said Michael Sawyers, Superintendent of New Albany-Plain Local Schools. He received a call from Facebook on April 1st wanting to know how the social media company could help the community.
“We are very grateful for their continued willingness to partner and provide solutions that benefit our students, families, and community,” Sawyers added.
The pantry’s executive director says the box truck comes at a critical time for families that have struggled for the past 7 weeks.
“This truck will enable the New Albany Food Pantry to help families across the school district and across our community to deliver both food and other needs that they may have,” said Jennifer Wilcoxon. The pantry is part of a collaboration led by the school district and includes the New Albany Community Foundation, the City of New Albany, Plain Township, Neighborhood Bridges, and Healthy New Albany.
“Our employees don’t just work here, they live here too,” said Facebook’s Tillman. “Supporting the New Albany Food Pantry’s need for a better distribution solution was a win for all.”
