Triangle nonprofits feel strain of increasing inflation this holiday season

Inflation has cost the price for everyday items to rise, putting a strain on households throughout the country.

The higher costs are having a trickledown effect on nonprofits across the Triangle. Some nonprofits are worried families won’t have what they need this year.

The U.S. inflation rate is 7.7% compared to 6.2% in 2021.

“Fruits, anything organic, just went up in price,” shopper Angie Martinez said.

Gloria Razza works at a Raleigh thrift store.

“Holidays make everything go up in price, but, especially right now, it feels like it’s worse than ever,” Razza said.

Razza said she’s noticed about a 25 % decrease in donations this year, something she says she’s never seen before.

“People are having to keep what they have this holiday season and it’s tough,” Razza said.

The Durham Rescue Mission is also struggling with donations. The nonprofits expenses are quickly increasing, while the income is not.

“It seems like people are struggling,” said Durham Rescue Mission CEO Rob Tart. “And the biggest problem that happens for us at Durham Rescue Mission at this time of inflation and this time of people struggling like this, the need for our services is actually going up.”

Tart also said they’re doing their very best to serve

Razza said the most urgent need right now are coats and jackets as the weather turns cold. She said many of the families who come into her shop are looking for these outerwear items, and they just don’t have them.

“It’s hard not having the donations come in,” Razza said. “You see families coming in looking for coats and jackets, and you don’t have them.

“If they can’t afford a jacket at the thrift store, they’re not going be able to afford a big coat at Walmart.”

If you’d like to help a family in need, the Wake County Angel Tree program is a good place to start.