The lines at local food banks and pantries are getting longer lately, as inflation and rising costs of just about everything put a strain on people’s wallets.
Across the country, the number of families coming back to food banks for help has increased because inflation has reached a 40-year high in recent months.
That’s why organizations are ramping up efforts to help families in need.
The Tarrant Area Food Bank said since April the lines have been getting longer than they were at the height of the pandemic.
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"When I talked to folks in the cars, they are working but their paycheck is not going as far because the basic necessities like food are more expensive,” said Julie Butner, CEO of Tarrant Area Food Bank.
Their data shows the cost of food has risen by 9%. That increase, combined with higher gas prices, higher rent and an increase in just about everything else, is putting a big strain on family budgets.
TAFB said it is also seeing more retirees in the lines.
"They're on a fixed income. And to suddenly see increases and things like gasoline and food, with no ability to change income level, because they are on a fixed income -- you can imagine the pressure that that is presenting to them," said Butner.
Food Insecurity
Food banks are trying to keep up with demand.
"It's kind of the perfect storm because all of the grants and federal support that we received during the pandemic has discontinued. And because of supply chain issues, our food industry donations are down by about 24%,” said Butner.
So far this year, TAFB has spent $1.5 million more a month on food than what they had budgeted.
"We budgeted for 5.5 million pounds of food to be distributed a month. And we're actually distributing 6.5 million pounds of food per month," said Butner. "So it's coming at us from multiple angles and we're really having to dip into our reserves to cover the cost of food purchases that we're making to help our neighbors who need to eat."
North Texas Food Bank is also working hard within its network of partner agencies to distribute food to more people this summer.
According to the Dallas Morning News, NTFB averaged about 11 million meals per month during the pandemic. Just this May, that number increased to 13 million.
North Texas Food Bank is having mobile food pantries every third Friday of the month. Locations are listed on their website. Food distribution begins at 8 a.m. in August and at 9 a.m. in September.
Families do not need to register to receive a food at the mobile food pantries. Food is handed out first-come, first-served basis. Each person is asked to provide their name, along with the number of people in the family, to determine the size of the food basket.
The Tarrant Area Food Bank held a mobile food distribution on Friday morning in Haltom City. More events are planned soon:
Be aware that the heat may impact the hours and methods of distribution, as it did for TAFB this week. Check the TAFB and NTFB social media sites for the latest information.
Both food banks are in need of volunteers and monetary donations.
- Click here for more information on donating to or volunteering with Tarrant Area Food Bank.
- Click here for information on getting involved with North Texas Food Bank.
Economic forecasts are showing this need for food to possibly continue for another two years.
"Feeding America I can remember at the very height of the pandemic -- they said this is going to go on for a while," recalled Butner. "Then after we get through the pandemic -- which really we're not even through it -- you can count on another 24 months of instability. And that's exactly what we're seeing."
