Food banks in the United States are struggling to meet growing demand from a population hit hard by rising fuel and food prices and unable to make ends meet. It is a sign of deepening poverty and food insecurity as more people become reliant on food kitchens and pantries to feed their families. The Wall Street Journal reported May 2 that a survey by Feeding America, which runs a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, found that about 85% of its food banks saw demand for food assistance increase or stay the same in February, compared with the previous months. Forgotten Harvest, which serves the Metro Detroit area, reported that demand has increased 25%-45% since last December in the areas it serves. In March alone, demand rose by 30% over that of February.
Exacerbating the crisis is that companies, and even the Federal government, which used to be reliable donors to food banks, have cut back their donations, due to supply chain problems. Feeding America estimates that it will suffer a 20% decrease in donations from food manufacturers and a 45% drop in food provided by the federal government in fiscal year 2022, which runs through June, CNN reported May 4. Higher prices and reduced supplies mean that many food banks have to restrict how much pantries can order—while the number of people needing help increases, sometimes on a weekly basis.
