Hunter
01/03/22
A recent hunger study conducted by Hunger Free America shows the number of people who said they didn’t have enough to eat has nearly doubled over the last year.
Food pantry officials locally echo that study. Cari Redondo, the Churches of Marion Pantry manager, told KCRG TV that the number of families utilizing their services jumped from 35 to 70 over the last year.
The Hunger Free America study said inflation isn’t the only reason for the increased need; COVID-19 relief benefits offered by the federal government and the states have been either reduced or terminated, straining lower-income families’ budgets.
Raymond Siddell, the founder of Together We Achieve, said his Cedar Rapids-based organization served over 9000 families in 2022, nearly double 2021’s numbers.
Those wishing to help can make donations to area food rescue organizations and food reservoirs. Table 2 Table and the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program are two organizations who distribute food to area pantries and individuals. Go to www.table2table.org/donate or www.hacap.org/donate for details.