Economic Uncertainty Threatens to Exacerbate Hunger

Most of the children in our program rely on school-based meals. Their families—already squeezed by the higher cost of food and everything else—don’t always qualify for food assistance. Even if they do, Federal programs and budget cuts are looming large.Families in our community are bracing for continued, and potentially deepening hunger challenges ahead. As always, we’re committed to providing solutions. 

Food prices continue to rise, programs are getting cut, and assistance could become less accessible.

Between 2020 and 2024, food prices rose by 23.6%. This year, they are  expected to increase another 3.3%, remaining above the recent historical average of a little over 2% a year. For families already struggling to make ends meet, rising grocery prices don’t mean cutting out luxuries — they mean making difficult decisions between necessities like food, rent, medicine, transportation, and child care. This economic squeeze is at the root of food insecurity in the U.S.

Against this backdrop, the USDA cut $1 billion in funding to programs that help schools and food banks purchase food from local farms, helping maximize the benefit to communities. And the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, aka “food stamps”) continues to be a target for cuts and more restrictive accessibility standards.

Ready to fill the gap

As the need for food assistance has grown in recent years, so has our commitment, impact, and reach. With this community’s continued support, Filling in the Blanks will continue filling critical hunger gaps. You can signal your commitment today with a donation of any amount.