10/16/2026
Last night was our Distribution Night. My heart is still concerned and in tears at some of the struggles and increased fears that some of our recipients are sharing with us. March 2027 we celebrate our 10th year; individually we too have our personal life's challenges and financial struggles, and collectively our organization's struggles, limitations, and continuing rising costs have become more challenging and that same dollar is stretched out beyond impact especially to assist in an overhead and other necessary resources need as more and more people are in need. Yes, America has the food and needed resources, but do we have reasonable access to it without having to struggle to sacrifice between the need to expense for baby diapers or housing versus food. Food, insurances, transportation, and other operational costs and necessities are likewise straining the budgets of food pantries that are eye-to-eye with its food insecure recipients.
Food banks across the country are seeing more families come through their doors.
NBC News surveyed food banks in 35 states and Washington, D.C. Nearly three in four said they’re serving more people than last year. At the same time, higher food and fuel costs mean every dollar has to stretch further to get food to communities.
No single thing is behind this. Grocery prices, rent, transportation, health care costs and changes to food assistance are all adding up at once. Neighbors are telling us this isn’t a short rough patch. In our recent survey of people who have experienced food insecurity, 81% said people in their community are dealing with long-term financial stress, not temporary hardship.
That’s why food banks are planning now for a longer stretch of need. Programs like SNAP and local food banks work best side by side, and both types of support must remain strong for neighbors.
📰 Read the full story from NBC News: nbcnews.to/4BqPkAD