Food banks grapple with increased demand, costs heading into holidays

As inflation drives up prices, higher food costs are taking a toll on everyone, including food banks. As demand and prices are going up, it’s costing food banks more to feed families who rely on them. KMBC 9 found out the challenges food banks are facing heading into the holidays, and how you can help.

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From sorting, to packing, to delivering, it all starts inside Harvesters’ warehouse.

“We know that when you go to the grocery store right now you might walk out with 3 or 4 bags and it costs you a hundred dollars,” said Harvesters spokesperson Kera Mashek.

Those sky-high food prices are spiking demand for the food bank’s help.

“I hear time and again, ‘this is my first time’, ‘this is my 2nd time’, ‘I just started coming within the last six months,’” she said.

Harvesters is now serving 226,000 people every month. It’s a near-historic high, about 30% above pre-pandemic levels.

With the holidays approaching, they expect the need to be even greater.