Food pantries seeing increased need due to inflation

PLYMOUTH, Ind. --- The Bread of Life food pantry wants to help as many people as possible.

So even though shelves may look packed – if you look closer— it’s not uncommon to see signs – limiting items to one per household.

"It’s the highest inflation that we’ve ever seen since I was born in 1981, so it’s hitting families very hard that live on fixed incomes," said Angie Rupchock-Schafer, Director of Community Impact and Communications for the Marshall County Community Foundation & United Way.

In Marshall County – households made up of the elderly, disabled, people living paycheck to paycheck amount to nearly 40 percent of the population, according to executive director Linda Yoder.

“If they had any savings, it’s likely gone and there’s still challenges within the workplace. You know, are they able to get good quality childcare? Are they able to afford it? Have they had illness that they’re still recovering from those medical expenses? And now we’re in double digit inflation," said Yoder, Executive Director for the Marshall County Community Foundation & United Way.

“We work very hard to make sure it’s a respectful process and it’s a welcoming process. So that someone who’s getting food for their children for the week doesn’t feel any more uncomfortable than they already may feel," said Rupchock-Schafer.

If you don’t need help, but want to help – food donations are needed and encouraged here.

Hoosiers looking for a nearby food bank can dial 211.