Posted on 12/29/2022 9:09:38 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
With inflation pushing up the price of groceries, more people in Wisconsin are turning to food pantries for help. The cost of food at home has gone up 12.4 percent since this time last year, according to the Consumer Price Index.
Suzanne Becker is the executive director of Feed My People Food Bank, which serves 14 counties in west central Wisconsin. Rising costs have many people turning to the food bank for the first time, she said.
"Imagine if your family was just getting by before, and now all of a sudden, they're having to pay so much more to fill up their car, or just to buy regular groceries," she said. "We're just seeing a real increase in families who have not ever had to ask for help before."
Feed My People has seen a steady increase in clients throughout 2022, and expects to serve 18 percent more people this year than last, Becker said.
It's a problem that food banks across the state and nationwide are experiencing.
Chris Kane is the senior director of client services at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Madison. Right now, the organization is serving about 2,400 people each month, he said. Before the pandemic, that number was closer to 1,500.
"Demand right now is as high as we've ever seen it," he said.
The past few years have been a "rollercoaster" in terms of demand, said Kane. When the pandemic began in spring 2020, the need for food surged. But then in 2021, it fell to the lowest levels Kane can remember, which he attributes to the child tax credit that was a part of the American Rescue Plan and only in effect for the year 2021.
"That put money in the pockets of people that really needed it at the time," he said. "And we saw food pantry usage actually at the lowest we've ever seen it."
Now that the tax credit has ended, need has more or less doubled, Kane said.
The price increases hitting families are hitting the food banks as well, said Kane. In a normal month, the society would spend about $15,000 buying food to distribute. Now, they're spending $25,000 to $30,000.
So while he said food drives are "great," they only account for a small percentage of the food the society distributes. This is why monetary donations can go a long way, Kane said.
"I can most likely get a better deal buying in bulk than most people can at the grocery store," he said. "So your money will go a little bit farther donating money, but we certainly appreciate both."
Despite this year's difficulties, Becker said anyone in need of food should reach out to their local food bank.
"If you know somebody who's struggling, somebody who's maybe never had to ask for help before, please call the food bank," she said. "Come and get the help you need and hopefully move on to a better tomorrow."
Last year or so, a local food pantry was burglarized.
They had an outside walk-in freezer that was full of meats and frozen foods.
Somebody broke the lock and took all the meats.................
Ways to Help Friends Having Money Troubles
https://www.thedollarstretcher.com/money-problems/ways-to-help-friends-having-money-troubles/
“Dear Dollar Stretcher,
I’d like to have some suggestions on helping friends who are having a hard time financially without making it seem like charity or condescension.
The two of us don’t have financial issues (although we don’t have cash to give away), but some of our friends, who aren’t spendthrifts, have lost jobs or had sudden financial emergencies. I pass along things I get with two-for-one specials (the second bag of potatoes, etc.), and when I bake, I make a double batch. But I’d like to be able to do something more other than give emotional support. Could you ask your readers for ideas?”
Instead of just continuing to donate (which I still will) I applied to volunteer at my local pantry. I think I may have over-sold my qualifications and the Manager thought I was gunning for her job, LOL!
Either way, I haven’t heard back. But, I will still donate what I can, when I can.
I’d LOVE to volunteer at our Humane Society, but that would mean MORE pets underfoot. ;)
Yes. Proof that the WEF’s plan, implemented by Brandon the Magnificent, is coming together.
Canned goods are safe to eat for YEARS!!!
But they have some bogus expiration date on them and the pantries are "prohibited" from accepting them.
HALF of the milk included in Public School lunches are tossed into a collection bin and they are PROHIBITED from providing them to shelters.
We have a POLICY PROBLEM more than we have a food shortage.
> Suzanne Becker is the executive director of Feed My People Food Bank <
I think I see the problem here. They should rename their program to ‘Feed My Ukrainian People Food Bank‘. Then Congress will flood them with money.
Heck, it doesn’t even have to be Ukrainian. Any foreign country will do. Peru, Pakistan, whatever. Congress loves to help out foreigners in distress. Our own people, not so much.
Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses? Ahhh...if only Mandela Barnes had gathered a few thousand more ballots, Utopia might have been achieved.
Check how you vote.
NS! What a surprise.
But they left all the veggies! Which spoiled...................
Ebenezer? Is that you??
YEP!
I identify as a 21st Century Ebeneezer-—Ebeneezer Brinton, thank you! *barf* lol
Illegal immigrants and muslims dumped into the country sucking our resources dry.
Most people seem to be spoiled. Wasted food is a big problem. We all know people who let leftovers sit in the fridge until it’s growing into something else.
I spent 2/3 of my life actively farming. I hate to see the waste at restaurants.
In addition to the historic and unprecedented nationally overwhelmed dog shelters, this is another canary.
Please. Can you look back in time six months and never imagine we would be where we are now?
Well try to prepare for six months from now.
Water, canned food, rice, beans, dried anything, petfood.
I just don’t think things will get better for at least a year.
Remember the fourth turning prediction.
“History is seasonal and winter is coming. The very survival of the nation will feel at stake. Sometime before the year 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history, commensurate with the American Revolution, Civil War, and the twin emergencies of the Great Depression in World War II. The risk of catastrophe will be high. The nation could erupt into insurrection or civil violence, crack up geographically or succumb to authoritarian rule. If there is a war, it is likely to be one of maximum risk and effort – in other words, a total war. Every Fourth Turning has registered an upward ratchet in the technology of destruction, and in mankind’s willingness to use it.” (The Fourth Turning, Strauss & Howe, 1997)
Great post.
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