AMNA NAWAZ: By some estimates, the global economy will take a $12 trillion hit from
the COVID-19 pandemic. It's already happening in Italy, the third largest economy in Europe.
From the town of Grottammare on the Adriatic Coast, special correspondent Malcolm Brabant
reports.
MALCOLM BRABANT: Four-month-old Angelo looks contented. At his tender age, he has no idea
just how vulnerable he is. But Angelo's Nigerian mother is worried about where his next meal
will come from, which is why she's lined up outside this food bank. She didn't want to
give her name.
WOMAN: With the COVID, it's a little bit difficult to feed my son. So, I just came to pick some
few things to feed my son.
MALCOLM BRABANT: It's not just disadvantaged immigrants who are reliant on food banks.
Italians who'd managed to cope before the pandemic are seeking help.
Before COVID struck, Samuela Paoloni was supporting both her sister and mother. Now all three
are virtually destitute.
SAMUELA PAOLONI, Unemployed (through translator): I used to be a baby-sitter, but now I can't
find anything.
MALCOLM BRABANT: This food bank in a disused cinema is the tip of a global iceberg. It's
estimated that an extra one million Italians have fallen beneath the poverty line as a
result of COVID-19.
And around the world, according to Oxfam, it's estimated that 500 million people are
now considered to be poor as a result of the pandemic.
The distribution center serving 100 food banks along the central Adriatic Coast is dependent
on gifts. The pandemic has stimulated generosity, with supermarkets and restaurants donating
food that would otherwise have gone to waste.
Their contributions have been essential because of the increased demand from the streets.
The operation is run by Francesco Galieni.
FRANCESCO GALIENI, Food Bank Distributor (through translator): This is certainly a very sad
situation, seeing people struggling, especially children. We have had alerts that children
are really in need of food aid. In Italy, it's estimated that a million children need
food aid because they're going hungry.
MALCOLM BRABANT: It's collection day for the parish of the 16th century Pope Saint Pius
V. The church in Grottammare is feeding 50 families, which means about 150 people in
total. The collection is being supervised by parish priest Don Federico Pompei.
FEDERICO POMPEI, Church Pope Saint Pius V (through translator): With COVID-19, poverty
has increased. The poverty that existed has become more profound. And those who were poor
have become even poorer. Those who weren't poor are on the verge of becoming the new
poor.
MALCOLM BRABANT: Sixty-five-year-old shoemaker Giuseppe is one of the new poor. Divorce and
losing his home before the pandemic were bad enough. But his troubles were just beginning.
When COVID struck, his temporary contract with a shoe factory was canceled. He has no
idea when he might work again.
GIUSEPPE, Unemployed Shoemaker (through translator): How do you expect me to feel? I can't describe
it. I can't find the right word. I feel demoralized. I'm not use to this kind of thing, because
I have always had a job.
MALCOLM BRABANT: Like other food bank clients, Giuseppe has been given an appointment, so
social distancing can be applied. He collects staples, such as pasta and cooking oil. Giuseppe
has fixed expenses, including $400 monthly rent, and has to keep his car running in case
a job surfaces.
GIUSEPPE (through translator): It's a help. It means I can save some money. But it's the
bare minimum. You get given some stuff, but it's not everything you need.
MALCOLM BRABANT: But Giuseppe's dependence on food aid could last longer than he expected
because the Italian shoe industry is in trouble.
Giampietro Melchiorri's shoe factory is treading water. Half of his 30 staff are furloughed.
Last year, the company grossed $7 million from shoes like these that retailed for $250
to $400. Before the pandemic began, the company had hoped to expand.
Now Melchiorri fears disaster.
GIAMPIETRO MELCHIORRI, Shoe Factor Owner (through translator): Unfortunately, on the 21st of
March, when the prime minister told us to shut down, personally, my dream was shattered.
Our objectives were no longer attainable. It was as if the world totally collapsed on
us.
MALCOLM BRABANT: Other shoe factories are also suffering a similar downturn in fortunes,
so, unless he gets a lucky break, Giuseppe must conserve his handout for as long as possible.
GIUSEPPE (through translator): It certainly is a help. I can't tell you if it's going
to last me for 10 or 20 days. It depends.
MALCOLM BRABANT: The elderly helpers at the food bank are shy about their volunteer work.
They don't want to give their full names.
ERICA, Volunteer (through translator): We are concerned. When you see people going hungry,
you can't be untroubled.
MALCOLM BRABANT: The Catholic Church is at the heart of Italian society. In this parish,
charity is essential because of what Father Don Federico believes are the inadequacies
of the state.
FEDERICO POMPEI (through translator): What needs to happen is that the promises of aid
need to become reality. Unfortunately, bureaucracy is slowing things up a lot. People are struggling
because their needs aren't satisfied.
MALCOLM BRABANT: Over the past week, an average of 11 Italians have died every day from COVID,
down from 900 a day in March.
If that trend continues, the economy stands a better chance of recovery, and so do the
new poor. But if a second wave comes, then, across the world and in Italy, more people
will go hungry.
For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Malcolm Brabant in Grottammare.