'Food scarcity is definitely an issue': Food banks pantries struggling to keep shelves stocked
Food banks and pantries that provide meals for hungry families across central North Carolina are struggling to keep their shelves stocked.
Like others throughout the state, they're dealing with rising costs for gas and to fill up grocery carts.
The demand for food assistance at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina in Raleigh is up 39% from pre-pandemic times, according to Vice President of Communications and Public Policy Jessica Slider Whichard.
“Things are stretched, I think, for everybody right now,” Whichard said.
Whichard said the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is paying 20% more for trucking costs when compared to pre-pandemic times while moving twice as many truckloads to meet increased demands.
“We’re doing the best we can to keep the flow of food consistent into the community, but this summer is going to be a bit tough,” Whichard said.
Covenant Life Church Food Pantry Director Myrna Inacio said she’s seen similar circumstances in Cary.
“The supply is down as the demand is up,” Inacio said.
There is a silver lining though. Covenant Life Church Food Pantry has served about 300 people in the last month and 220 people the month before that, according to Inacio.
“The amount of donations we’re getting from the community have been down since prices have been up and inflation has been up,” Inacio said.
Covenant Life Church Food Pantry picks up donations at two Food Lions stores in Cary and a Starbucks. However, retailers recently have less left on their shelves to donate.
“Food scarcity is definitely an issue, not only for us at the food bank, but for retail partners as well,” Whichard said.
Inacio sees her work as a service to provide families some relief from the burdens that strain their budgets.
“We’re feeding people that need food. We’re encouraging them. We’re loving them,” she said. “And, if they could join us in supporting that effort, that would be wonderful.”
The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina said the current conditions are a "perfect storm" because the drop in donations and rising prices come as pandemic-aid programs are ending.
For anyone who would like to help, cash donations made to the Food Bank are doubled through the end of July as part of its Stop Summer Hunger 2022 initiative.
