Current:Home > FinanceDonations to food banks can't keep up with rising costs -TradeWisdom
Donations to food banks can't keep up with rising costs
View
Date:2025-04-14 06:52:16
Charitable giving stayed pretty much the same this year compared to last, according to data from Blackbaud Institute, which tracks philanthropy each year.
But with inflation, the dollar isn't going as far.
"You would need more charitable giving to keep pace with the rising costs," said Una Osili, economist and Associate Dean of Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. "It's not enough that people are just giving at the same rates."
Plus, many households returned to their pre-pandemic giving habits, choosing to donate to other sectors such as the arts or education, she said.
Harder for a lot of people to donate
DC Food Project, a local nonprofit that helps supply K-12 students and their families with fresh produce and dried goods ahead of long weekends and breaks, has actually seen donations dip.
"During Covid, everyone was hoping and wanting to help if they could," said Lucie Leblois, 44, one of the food project's founders.
Leblois, along with co-founders Alysa MacClellan and Katie DeGroft, started the organization in 2018 and saw it grow quickly during the pandemic.
"We were able to raise money as fast as we were spending it."
But this year, it's a different story.
"People, even if they're generous, may want to donate to other causes," said Leblois. "I think the food insecurity story was a really big one during the pandemic. And unfortunately, it still exists, and in fact is even worse."
Grocery prices have gone way up because of inflation, and access to food has gotten harder. Egg prices have risen nearly 50% this year, government data shows.
"As a nonprofit, we faced that challenge, but we also know that the families we're supporting are doubly facing that challenge," she said.
Burning out staff, running out of food
Food banks in every region of the country are also dealing with high demand and rising food prices — and burnt out staff.
CAPI USA, a Brooklyn Center, Minnesota-based nonprofit originally called the Center for Asian and Pacific Islanders now focused on serving immigrants and refugees, is one of them.
CAPI, which operates a food shelf, is one of the state's only culturally-specific food providers. They focus on Asian, African and Latinx food groups, said Ekta Prakash, the CEO.
"Those foods are expensive," said Prakash, who makes it a mission to purchase fresh produce for CAPI clients. "It's easy to say you can run a food shelf with canned food, but it's not easy to do."
CAPI typically spends $50,000 per year for 400 lbs of food, said Prakash. But this year, she said they've spent nearly $100,000 for roughly the same amount of food, and they're struggling to meet rising demand.
"By Thursday, there is no food," she said.
They've had to reduce the hours of their food shelf, closing on Friday through the weekend.
Plus, while people are still donating food, financial giving by individuals and corporations has slowed, said Prakash. They need money to pay the cost of labor.
"Our staff are getting more burned out," Prakash said.
Need is almost as high as the worst of the pandemic
This is probably the most challenging holiday season that Second Harvest of Silicon Valley has experienced yet, said Leslie Bacho, CEO of the regional food bank.
"The need we're seeing in the community is reaching close to the level that we saw at the height of the pandemic," she said.
Since the surge in demand during the pandemic was tied to job losses, it felt temporary, she said. It's been a different story with inflation, which has pummeled the country for a year now.
"Everyone is really strained," said Bacho. "Both financially, because our network is being hit hard, and also emotionally, just from being in this emergency-response mode."
To contend with the rising price of milk - up nearly 15% over the year - the food bank now gives each family a half gallon of it per box. It used to give a full gallon.
"I try to keep going out to our distribution sites just to remind myself why we are doing this work," said Bacho, who enjoys connecting with volunteers and donors.
"I've tried to remind myself of all the joy that's there as we're all busily working away."
veryGood! (42)
Related
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Air Jordans made for Spike Lee and donated to Oregon shelter auctioned for nearly $51,000
- Rachel Bilson Reflects on Feud With Whoopi Goldberg Over Men’s Sex Lives
- FDA finds ‘extremely high’ lead levels in cinnamon at Ecuador plant that made tainted fruit pouches
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Colorado releases first 5 wolves in reintroduction plan approved by voters to chagrin of ranchers
- Charlotte Hornets' Miles Bridges denied entry to Canada over legal situation, per report
- North Korea test launches apparent long-range missile designed to carry nuclear warhead, hit U.S. mainland
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- German court orders repeat of 2021 national election in parts of Berlin due to glitches
Ranking
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Jonathan Majors’ Marvel ouster after assault conviction throws years of Disney’s plans into disarray
- Taraji P. Henson says she's passing the 'Color Purple' baton to a new generation
- Arkansas sheriff stripped of duties after alleged drug cover-up, using meth with informant, feds say
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Georgia’s governor says the state will pay a $1,000 year-end bonus to public and school employees
- Wander Franco earns $700,000 bonus from MLB pool despite ongoing investigation
- Georgia election workers file new complaint against Giuliani, days after $148 million award
Recommendation
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
Judge criticizes Trump’s expert witness as he again refuses to toss fraud lawsuit
Max Payne Actor James McCaffrey Dead at 65 After Cancer Battle
Step by step, Francis has made the Catholic Church a more welcoming place for LGBTQ people
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
FDA finds ‘extremely high’ lead levels in cinnamon at Ecuador plant that made tainted fruit pouches
Greek anti-terror squad investigates after a bomb was defused near riot police headquarters
Major cleanup underway after storm batters Northeastern US, knocks out power and floods roads