Inflation has been rearing its ugly head around every twist and turn, leaving consumers with nowhere to hide from its nasty snarls. From price gouging gasoline to sticker shock at the supermarket, rising costs have taken a huge toll and, according to a recent report, this means nearly a quarter (24.6%) of Americans are grappling with inflation-driven food insecurity.
U.S.-based hunger is rising on the heels of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program doing away with additional pandemic-inspired benefit boosts, which expired at the end of February. This means some 30 million SNAP recipients saw their benefits cut by around $82 a month (average reductions led to benefits going from around $251 to $169). The timing for the program's end couldn't have come at a worse time as grocery inflation ramped up again in January, jumping 11.3% from January 2022. Without the ability to afford or secure benefits to cover grocery expenses, low-income consumers are being forced to cut back on the amount of food they buy.
The surge in food insecurity might drive more Americans to food banks, especially as a reported 53 million people visited food banks for food insecurity assistance in 2022. Want to help? Food banks rely heavily on donations. For a list of food banks in your area, visit the FeedingAmerica website.
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