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Inflation causing more hunger issues

The head of a regional disaster and hunger relief network says inflation is causing a rise in food insecurity issues across the country.

Lindsay Lopez, President and CEO of The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, says pantries need more donations to help curb an increase of people going hungry.

“What we are seeing consistently is people who are experiencing food insecurity for the very first time in their lives based on rising costs of everything,” Lopez said.

Following the Governor’s Ham Breakfast on Thursday, they packed meals with the governor and state legislators. She tells Brownfield it’s another way to bring more awareness to food insecurity.

“Food insecurity is prevalent, and it is real, not only in this community, but in every single community throughout this state of Missouri and the nation,” Lopez said. “We are just so grateful to have the opportunity to talk about what that need looks like.”

Lopez says food costs have tripled from pre-COVID levels.