Donations needed for High Plains Food Bank and Catholic Charities due to inflation

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Costs are rising at the grocery store and so is the pressure on those working to combat hunger.

Area food banks say with the increased cost of food, it is also increasing the need for services.

“The last two or three weeks we have seen a huge increase and I feel like it’s really tied to the Easter season because families are coming in trying to make sure they have food because everybody wants to have that brunch on Easter Sunday,” Jeff Gulde, executive director, Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle.

Gulde says the most expensive and difficult items to keep on the shelves is protein.

A lot of Catholic Charities food is supplied by the High Plains Food Bank

“So far, they have been really good to help insulate us from those price increases, where we see the increases is where we have to go away from what they cannot provide to us and go for outside sources,” said Gulde.

High Plains Food Bank says although cost has gone up 15 to 20 percent and although it has increased, the food bank says it will not cut back its efforts to distribute food to those in need.

“We are in the time right now where we can’t do that, we can’t afford to do that because the need in our area is so great and it’s increasing even more,” said Zack Wilson, executive director, High Plains Food Bank.

Both food banks say there is a strong need for donations right now.

“Some of our donors who may be on the brink if they are not able to help they may go from being a donor to a recipient and that’s a real possibility for all of us,’ said Gulde.

High Plains Food Bank says it will increase its fundraising efforts.

Wilson says every dollar donated can provide 14 meals.

To donate to High Plains Food Bank, click here.

To donate to Catholic Charities, click here.

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