Local food banks see higher demand with soaring inflation

As inflation soars across the U.S., demand is also increasing for help from food banks throughout North Carolina.

On Tuesday, WRAL News spoke with several people who stopped by the Fayetteville Urban Ministry’s Food Bank.

“It’s been pretty difficult considering I’m 56 years old and having to get supplementary help,” Giuliano Giannoe said.

Giannoe, who used to own a business in Fayetteville, and said he stopped by the food bank due to pandemic, inflation and “bad luck.” He said he stocked up on canned foods and nonperishable items.

On Tuesday, the Department of Labor announced its consumer price index jumped 8.5% in March from 12 months earlier. It marks the sharpest year-over-year increase since 1981.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s March report found grocery and restaurant prices will continue to rise between 4.5-5.5% in 2022.

Food-away-from-home prices are expected to increase between 5.5%-6.5%, while grocery store food prices are expected to increase nearly 4%.

Fayetteville resident Taakque Chesley explained why she stopped by the food bank on Tuesday.

“We’re doing everything we can to survive with the gas price sand how food is going up and everything,” Chesley said. “[We’re] just trying to make ends meet.”

Some people have chosen to carpool to food banks like the Urban Ministry to save money on gas.

“We’re definitely in a mode of resourcing now, so if clients can’t get it from us, we’re sending them to other places where they can go get exactly what they need,” said Fayetteville Urban Ministry Executive Director Johnny Wilson.

Wilson said he’s seen people at the food bank who are having to choose between buying gas and putting food on the table.