A 230-mile-long line of cars at a San Antonio food bank this week underscored the growing hardship families are facing as inflation continues to hit hard across the country.
The line of cars stretched for miles along the streets near the San Antonio Food Bank on Tuesday, as families waited for hours to receive food assistance. The food bank said it served more than 10,000 families that day, up from about 7,000 families on a typical day.
The surge in demand for food assistance comes as inflation has pushed up the cost of food and other basic necessities. The Consumer Price Index, which measures the average change in prices over time, rose 8.5% in March compared to a year ago, the largest 12-month increase since December 1981.
The rising cost of food is particularly burdensome for low-income families, who spend a larger share of their income on food. A recent study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that the average low-income family spent 34% of its income on food in 2020, up from 29% in 2019.
The San Antonio Food Bank is one of many food banks across the country that are seeing a surge in demand for assistance. The Houston Food Bank, for example, has seen a 30% increase in demand since the beginning of the year. And the Alameda County Community Food Bank in California has seen a 20% increase in demand.
The rising demand for food assistance is a sign that the economic recovery from the pandemic is not reaching everyone. While some families are able to weather the storm of inflation, others are struggling to make ends meet.
The food banks are doing their best to meet the increased demand, but they need more help. The San Antonio Food Bank, for example, is asking for donations of food and money to help them continue to provide assistance to those in need.
If you are able to help, please consider donating to your local food bank. Every little bit helps..
