JoCo launches curbside food drive program to help those in need during COVID-19

A Johnson County partnership has launched a new program to address the additional food insecurity experienced across the region following COVID-19. The Johnson County Food Policy Council, Department of Health and Environment and the K-State Research and Extension are partnering for a curbside food drive to benefit local food pantries, which have reported a 30 to 40% increase in need. JCDHE Public Information Officer Barbara Mitchell said the curbside food drive addresses the misconception that food insecurity isn’t an issue in Johnson County, where nearly 60,000 residents were food insecure prior to the pandemic.