Food banks struggle to keep up with demand as Congress passes an $858 billion military spending bill
NPP Pressroom
KALW Public Radio
Rose Aguilar
12/22/2022
On this edition of Your Call, we find out how food banks are handling increased demand. More than 53 million people turned to food banks last year, one-third more than before the pandemic, according to Feeding America.
With inflation rates causing food prices to skyrocket over 10 percent in the last year and over 60 percent of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, what are food banks and other charities doing to provide more support for their communities?
As people struggle to put food on the table, Congress just passed an $858 billion military budget and Republicans derailed the Child Tax Credit expansion.
Guests:
Craig Hotti, board vice president of Alameda County Food Bank
Ronnell Hunt, community education specialist at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Tanis Crosby, executive director of San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
Ashik Siddique, research analyst for the National Priorities Project, working on the federal budget and military spending
Web Resources:
CBS News: Military families increasingly relying on food banks
USA Today: Food banks are struggling this holiday season as inflation creates 'perfect storm'
NPR: Many Americans struggle to get food. Inflation is making it worse
The New York Times: More Americans Are Going Hungry, and It Costs More to Feed Them
Common Dreams: Congress Just Passed $858 Billion Military Budget, But GOP Is Blocking $12 Billion to Fight Child Poverty