SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — As the cost of food continues to climb, local food pantries are getting hit with both rising costs and rising demand ahead of the holiday season.
The Food Bank of South Jersey is now assisting 170,000 families each month — up from about 112,000 on average last year. CEO Fred Wasiak said each dollar received isn’t going as far as it used to.
“It really is challenging all around because we do want — especially in the holiday season — everyone we’re serving to have that enjoyment of a meal, a traditional family meal around the table,” he said. “There’s a lot on our plate.”
Wasiak cited recent studies that show families are paying almost $400 more each month on food and household items than a few years ago, so food banks and families need all the help they can get.
For more information on donations or volunteering, visit foodbanksj.org.