US Food Banks Struggle to Feed Hungry Amid Surging Prices
November 10, 2021
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — U.S. food banks already dealing with increased demand from families sidelined by the pandemic now face a new challenge — surging food prices and supply chain issues walloping the nation.
The higher costs and limited availability mean some families may get smaller servings or substitutions for staples such as peanut butter, which some food banks are buying for nearly double what it cost two years ago. As holidays approach, some food banks worry they won’t have enough stuffing and cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“What happens when food prices go up is food insecurity for those who are experiencing it just gets worse,” said Katie Fitzgerald, chief operating officer of Feeding America, a nonprofit organization that coordinates the efforts of more than 200 food banks across the country. Food banks that expanded to meet unprecedented demand brought on by the pandemic won’t be able to absorb forever food costs that are two to three times what they used to be, she said.
Supply chain disruptions, lower inventory and labor shortages have all contributed to increased costs for charities on which tens of millions of people in the U.S. rely on for nutrition. Donated food is more expensive to move because transportation costs are up, and bottlenecks at factories and ports make it difficult to get goods of all kinds.
If a food bank has to swap out for smaller sizes of canned tuna or make substitutions in order to stretch their dollars, Fitzgerald said, it’s like adding “insult to injury” to a family reeling from uncertainty.
Story by Janie Har for the Associated Press. AP reporters Terence Chea in Oakland and Ashraf Khalil in Washington contributed to this story. Cover image by Donna Spearman.
Watch Post Commentary: We've already been told to expect the most expensive Thanksgiving dinner ever this year. Charities are feeling the crunch as well. The problem is sure to get worse, as the labor force continues to be decimated by forced COVID "vaccine" mandates.
All is not lost, though. The scriptures remind us that times like these provide great opportunities to step up and help our brothers and sisters in Christ.
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
(Proverbs 22:9)
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