A couple of years ago we were in such dire straits that I had to go to the local food shelf. Hated every second of it. It was a humbling (humiliating?)experience. I would rather eat grass than do that again.
That said, I wasn’t the only English speaking US citizen there, but I was certainly in the minority. In my opinion based on limited experience, the reason for the increase is because of the increase in immigrants-whether legal or illegal.
What went through my mind is that my family has been here since before the revolutionary war and I am the first one to go begging for food. Not a way of life for me.
I have a friend, who came to the US from Mexico when she was 11, for whom visits to the food shelf, the local church pantry, etc. are just a part of her every day life. It’s not reserved for times of great need. Completely different perspective. She was very puzzled that I didn’t apply for WIC or MA-why not if it’s available?
My family did the peanut butter and cheese thing in the 50s. We were Americans. I have a problem with nurturing an invasive slime with a murderous hatred of anything American. Throw them out.