When a disaster strikes, our network supports relief and recovery in communities by distributing assistance through the more than 61,000 local agencies that we support. Feeding America also provides immediate relief through emergency feeding centers operated by NVOAD partners, including the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Feeding America first took an active role in disaster relief services in 1989, following Hurricane Hugo, which devastated several states in the Southeastern U.S., and the Loma Pieta earthquake, which caused significant damage in San Francisco and the Central California Coast. Since then, the Feeding America network has been committed to responding to major disasters, and dedicated to helping communities recover.

Feeding America is a member of the National Voluntary Relief Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), a coalition of disaster relief organizations.

Fast Facts

  • During the past five years, the Feeding America network and our national corporate donors have provided more than 100 million pounds of emergency food and disaster relief supplies to individuals and families affected by disaster.
  • Feeding America regularly mobilizes our corporate partners and donor community to help provide disaster relief, above and beyond ongoing collaborations to address the chronic food insecurity that many Americans face daily.
  • We provide specialized training for our network members and continually improve operating procedures that enable member food banks to develop seamless, coordinated approaches to delivering disaster assistance.
  • Before disasters strike, the Feeding America network positions emergency food and personal care items that are most frequently requested by individuals and families after an incident. These supplies are available in strategically designated locations throughout the nation and inventory is regularly cycled to ensure that food and supplies there are fresh and safe.

For more information, please contact Patrick Crawford, Director of Disaster Services at 312.614.6846.

Feeding America thanks our 2011 Disaster Relief partners.

Support this and other programs by making a donation or to learn more about making a gift, please contact Donor Services at 800.771.2303.