Food Pantries Report Rising Demand Across Communities

Food pantries in several U.S. communities are reporting rising demand as households contend with high grocery, fuel, heating, and housing costs, as well as changes or cuts to food assistance benefits. Reports describe sharp increases in some areas: Jonesboro’s Helping Neighbors pantry says the number of families it served rose 300% over the first nine months of the year, while Ashe Food Pantry reports requests up nearly 30%. Organizations are expanding capacity and preparing for holiday distributions, including plans to provide Thanksgiving meal boxes and turkeys to about 850 Ashe County families; Missouri food banks are also budgeting more for food ahead of the holidays. Alongside groceries, some pantries provide clothing, diapers, hygiene products, and connections to other services, while relying on donations and community support to meet needs.