The needs at a large local food bank are increasing, and inflation is likely a big factor behind that.
Dee Schwartz, chief program officer of Aging, Essential & Inclusion Services at Jewish Family Services, oversees the Brighton Food Cupboard. She said the demand for help has increased 20% in the past month, and that is largely related to people getting squeezed by higher prices for food and other items.
“We do have quite a few people that are on fixed incomes, so, older adults, people that are on disability." Schwartz aid. "So their income does not change, yet the food costs are increasing.
“But also, this last probably three weeks, we are seeing phone call after phone call with young kids that are saying,’ I can’t afford food, I can’t afford school supplies, I can’t afford clothes.’”
Schwartz also said the Brighton Food Cupboard has also seen a decline in food donations recently.
“It’s not on their radar as much," she said, "maybe because they too are struggling with trying to get food into their homes. So our donations are down, and our food need is increasing. We do have food, so I don’t want to say that we don’t, but it’s not keeping up with the demand.”
Jewish Family Services has also launched its Hunger Action Campaign to encourage individuals and organizations to collect and donate food.
The Brighton Food Cupboard helps people in Brighton and also parts of Rochester.
