Food banks in New Jersey were forced to close for the first time this week after rising demand and skyrocketing food prices left them with no choice.
Inflation-lame Americans are returning to food banks across the country in hopes of providing for themselves and their families. But food banks say they are struggling to provide relief amid soaring demand and rising food prices.
Elissa Darrow, director of Angels Community Outreach in Piman, New Jersey, told Fox News that she was forced to temporarily close her pantry for the first time after she ran out of food.
Food banks struggle to meet higher demand and soaring prices as inflation soars
“In 13 years, I’ve never had to close a pantry,” Darrow told America Report on Tuesday. I had an extra $30, $40 to buy extra groceries and donate to us, but now I need the money to buy the groceries myself,” she said. “We have seniors who are on bonds and they need to stretch that dollar further now.”
Inflation hit a 40-year high of 9.1% in June, Food prices rise 10.4%, according to the Labor Department. Darrow, who regularly serves nearly 150 people each week, said he is struggling to keep up as demand has increased by 40%.
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“I’ve had to carry a lot of people on my back. It’s hard. It’s heartbreaking,” she said. I have to tell you I can’t.”
As a last resort for so many, Darrow said he was “frightened” about the future of the economy and whether he could continue to serve those in need in his community.
“I’m afraid it will get worse,” she said. “The money we have to buy food as a nonprofit, if it’s not donated…we have thousands of dollars, but we can’t buy it like we used to. We can’t feed a lot of families and people.. The costs are now astronomical.”
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Darrow said locals can help by making a donation at www.angelsoutreach.org or by delivering groceries to the food pantry.
“If you don’t live nearby, please donate to your local pantry as everyone is suffering,” she told viewers.