Helping Food Banks Navigate What’s Next
From surging demand to unclear forecasts and aging infrastructure, the pressures facing food banks have never been greater. S.I.R. helps organizations of all sizes plan strategically, act decisively, and lead with impact.
The Backbone of Our National
Safety Net
Across the U.S., more than 200 Feeding America food banks and over 60,000 partner sites — pantries, soup kitchens, and community hubs — delivered nearly 6 billion meals last year. This isn’t charity at the margins.
This is infrastructure. This is scale. And it works.
The Pandemic Made It Visible -But Not for Long
During COVID-19, food banks became the front lines of America’s crisis response. That reality — jarring and unforgettable — revealed just how many Americans live one missed paycheck away from hunger. Four years later, the need hasn’t gone away. In fact, it’s become the “new normal.”: 4 out of 5 food banks are still seeing elevated demand. Yet public awareness and support have dropped back to pre-pandemic levels — despite the fact that over 47 million Americans, including 13 million kids, experienced food insecurity in 2023.
That’s 1 in every 7 people.
What’s Coming: Demand Up,
Resources Down
At the precise moment when demand remains high — and growing — federal support is being cut dramatically. The so-called Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) slashes:
SNAP benefits, introducing new work requirements
TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) funding
Over $1 billion in total food assistance ecosystem cuts
We Can Help
S.I.R. is more than a planning firm — we’re a 60-year-old consultancy that brings together data science, strategic foresight, and stakeholder engagement to help organizations make bold, grounded decisions. From rural food pantries to statewide networks, we’ve worked with food banks at every level to help them adapt and thrive.
We understand the realities you face because we’ve lived them alongside:
Executive Directors navigating board governance and state association dynamics
COOs balancing logistics, staffing, and burnout
Development teams under pressure to show measurable ROI
Community engagement leaders navigating trust, dignity, and access
With experience across the entire country, our team delivers what matters most: plans that get implemented — not filed away.
How S.I.R. Helps Food Banks
Surging Demand, Unclear Forecasts
S.I.R. provides forecasting models and scenario planning tools using local data and frontline insight — helping you stay ahead of what’s next.
Donor Fatigue & Storytelling Gaps
We help food banks develop audience-specific messaging and strategic storytelling rooted in mission, outcomes, and community voice.
Volunteer Drop-Off & Workforce Burnout
We assess internal culture, streamline workflows, and help design modern volunteer and staffing strategies to reduce fatigue and increase retention
Disjointed Strategic Direction
We guide organizations through inclusive planning processes that align staff, board, and partners behind a clear, actionable strategy.
Aging Infrastructure, Limited Capital
S.I.R. supports long-term facilities planning, stakeholder buy-in, and capital campaign strategy grounded in future-focused needs.
Governance Conflicts at the State Level
We facilitate the design of equitable, transparent, and effective governance models — helping multiple food banks align around shared goals..
Reaching Underserved Communities
We conduct community perception research and facilitate outreach strategies designed to restore trust, reduce barriers, and center dignity
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
We help food banks stress-test sourcing and distribution models — identifying opportunities for greater resilience and partnership.
Our Methods,
Your Momentum
What sets S.I.R. apart is our model: we combine original research, facilitation, and implementation support under one roof. We don’t deliver off-the-shelf solutions. We build living roadmaps with your team, for your mission.
We support food banks through:
Strategic Planning grounded in data and community voice
Stakeholder Engagement with boards, partners, and residents
Program Evaluation and outcome tracking
Brand Strategy and storytelling that secures funding
Organizational Development and culture-building
Network Governance Design for multi-partner coordination
Dashboards and KPI Systems to prove — and improve — impact
Our Work In Action
Virginia Federation of Food Banks
Problem: Food insecurity surged during COVID, especially in underserved areas with limited transportation.
Method: We designed a care package delivery strategy in partnership with Sentara Health, paired with community-level communications and dignity-focused messaging.
Result: 1.1M boxes delivered and 100K+ residents reached, with trust restored in hard-to-serve regions.
Southeast
Ohio Food
Bank
Problem:
Fragmented support, aging facilities, and growing need across rural counties left the food bank without a clear strategic path.
Method:
S.I.R. facilitated a regionwide strategic planning process — engaging staff, board, and partners to align goals, define priorities, and design an implementation-ready roadmap tailored to a rural service model.
Result:
The organization now operates with a unified strategy for infrastructure investment, regional coordination, and long-term sustainability
Feeding
New York
State
Problem: 10 food banks operating with siloed strategies and uneven governance.
Method: Facilitated a collaborative planning process, designed shared mission/vision, and created state-level infrastructure to unify messaging and lobbying.
Result: 50M pounds of food rescued and redirected with aligned strategy across one of the country’s largest states
Tennessee
Food
Banks
Problem:
Tennessee’s food banks lacked a unified statewide presence to coordinate advocacy, funding, and long-term strategy.
Method:
S.I.R. facilitated a statewide strategic planning process — aligning leadership across multiple regions to define shared goals, design governance models, and establish an operational framework for collaboration.
Result:
The five Tennessee food banks now operate with a clear understanding of their shared priorities, the benefits of a coordinated, centralized statewide advocacy effort and how they are valued by their peers and partners cross the state.
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger
Problem: Dramatic spike in demand near the U.S.-Mexico border strained systems and space.
Method: Conducted needs assessment, demand projection, and internal planning to guide growth investment.
Result: A multi-year strategy for capacity expansion rooted in local partnerships and national trends.
NJ Food Banks
Problem:
Despite operating in a shared environment, New Jersey’s food banks lacked a unified strategy or shared mechanisms to engage with state-level stakeholders.
Method:
S.I.R. supported the food banks in designing a collaborative governance model, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and facilitating consensus among executive leadership across the state.
Result:
A strengthened partnership that allows New Jersey’s food banks to coordinate strategy, present a unified voice to funders and policymakers, and pursue collective impact across service region