BETHLEHEM, Pa. – As meals costs proceed to rise, an increasing number of households are reaching out for assist, with demand at an all-time excessive.
The buyer value index exhibits that meals costs rose 9.four% from the earlier 12 months. And it is forcing an increasing number of folks to hunt assist and placing an increasing number of demand on our meals pantries. Many are seeing a rise of greater than 50%.
“We all know that greater than 1 in 10 folks expertise meals insecurity. Which means they might not have entry to recent, wholesome, nutritious meals and fairly frankly, they might not know the place their subsequent meal is coming from,” mentioned Laura McHugh. , Vice President of Advertising and Communications for the United Method of the Better Lehigh Valley.
McHugh says that features one in six Lehigh Valley youngsters, and the issue appears to be getting worse.
“To provide a bit concept of the place we have come from within the final two years, it is a few 35-40% improve within the final two years because the pandemic began, and once you have a look at some populations like our Lehigh Valley seniors, we have really seen a rise of as much as 60%,” McHugh mentioned.
Inflation is making the issue worse.
Second Harvest Meals Financial institution says there was a 60% improve within the variety of households looking for help from its pantries. The meals financial institution’s pantries served about 19,000 households in April. There was a 10% leap in Could.
In April and Could, Second Harvest distributed essentially the most meals, about 1 million kilos.
There has additionally been a leap in SNAP functions.
“We have observed it right here on the meals pantry, we have seen a rise of greater than 50% within the variety of households utilizing meals pantries within the final three months,” mentioned Marc Rittle, govt director of New Bethany Ministries.
Rittle says they’ve fortunately been capable of sustain in the case of meals, however says inflation has hit them even tougher in the case of offering inexpensive housing.
“Sadly, I’ve to say I feel it is solely going to worsen and it will likely be some time earlier than we see any reduction,” Rittle mentioned.
In case you’re on the lookout for assist, name 211 or go to pa211east.org to discover a meals pantry close to you.
The New Bethany Meals Pantry is open Monday by Friday from 10:30am to 11:30am
