Donations are down, inflation and the end of Covid emergency relief have increased need, and inflation/Federal Government have caused federal food distribution places to charge local food pantries for stuff (like milk and eggs) that they used to give for no cost. Things are worser and worser if you’re in need unfortunately.
That last one needs some explanation. Here in the Boston area, the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) distributes food to local food banks that the federal government buys. I believe this is a similar patter across the country. There’s one agency in an area responsible for distributing food from federal programs to local agencies for distribution. I believe that inflation and the recent agreement on the budget has put pressure on the GBFB so that it has to now charge for food that used to be distributed for no cost. A pantry where I volunteer is now paying over $900/month for eggs that used to cost it nothing. This pattern is repeating across the country. Donations are way down and the need is increasing quickly. A very difficult position to be in if you’re a food pantry and a worse position to be in if you need help.
Sorry about the long message. If you’ve stopped supporting your local charities recently because the “emergency” is over, please reconsider. It’s getting worse.
Donations are down, inflation and the end of Covid emergency relief have increased need, and inflation/Federal Government have caused federal food distribution places to charge local food pantries for stuff (like milk and eggs) that they used to give for no cost. Things are worser and worser if you’re in need unfortunately.
That last one needs some explanation. Here in the Boston area, the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) distributes food to local food banks that the federal government buys. I believe this is a similar patter across the country. There’s one agency in an area responsible for distributing food from federal programs to local agencies for distribution. I believe that inflation and the recent agreement on the budget has put pressure on the GBFB so that it has to now charge for food that used to be distributed for no cost. A pantry where I volunteer is now paying over $900/month for eggs that used to cost it nothing. This pattern is repeating across the country. Donations are way down and the need is increasing quickly. A very difficult position to be in if you’re a food pantry and a worse position to be in if you need help.
Sorry about the long message. If you’ve stopped supporting your local charities recently because the “emergency” is over, please reconsider. It’s getting worse.