Inflation during the Biden administration is affecting everyday Americans, increasing the demand for local food banks.
Jackie DeCarlo, CEO of Manna Food Center, emphasized the unprecedented change in an interview with the Washington Post on Monday, saying, “We are seeing unprecedented demand.”
The need for food bank assistance has sharply increased in recent months.
In October, Manna Food Center supplied food to 5,781 families, exceeding its highest monthly distribution during the pandemic. Food for Others, a local food bank, saw a 30% increase in food distribution in 2023 compared to 2022, providing daily assistance to approximately 200 to 250 people. Capital Area Food Bank, led by president and CEO Radha Muthiah, has distributed 31% more food since July 1.
Under Biden, the majority of Americans have felt the impact of persistent inflation for years now.
Food Bank Demand Surges After Americans Hit with Inflationhttps://t.co/29dDnqtiny pic.twitter.com/UzLDmY84lT
— Old Mean Geezer (@OldMeanGeezer) November 21, 2023
A September report from Capital Area Food Bank indicated that the region has shown no improvement in addressing food insecurity since the onset of the pandemic. According to the report, 32% of residents faced insufficient access to food in 2023, a marginal improvement from 33% in 2022.
Confronted with such high demand, certain food banks have observed declines in community donations.
DeCarlo said, “We got 50,000 pounds of food, which was really appreciated. But that was 6% less than what we got last year. That just goes to show that folks who have means to donate, even if they are feeling price pressures.”
Numerous Americans are compelled to seek alternative methods to provide for their families.
Katherine Charles, a 40-year-old single mother, expressed that Biden’s inflation has heightened the challenge of feeding her family. She told the Associated Press that her young children are currently at an age where they consume everything in front of them.
Charles said, “My son loves red meat. We cannot any longer afford it the way we used to. The economy’s not getting better for nobody, especially not for me.”
Polling from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that approximately 75% of respondents described Biden’s economy as “poor,” with two-thirds indicating an increase in expenses. Only one-quarter reported that their income had risen to offset the additional costs.
