Do you develop a sense of anxiety at the grocery store cash register nowadays?
If you answered yes, you aren’t alone.
Inflation is eating into family and personal budgets across the socioeconomic spectrum, and nowhere is it more apparent than food prices.
According to federal statistics, the cost of groceries is up about 14 percent compared to 2021, the largest year-over-year increase since 1979. The increase for some staples is even higher. Did you know that:
-Spaghetti is up 26 percent;
– Bread is up 19 percent;
– And that chicken is up 22 percent?
Our clients are out of options
For those of us who are more fortunate, we can tread water in this sea of inflation by reducing our discretionary spending, borrowing from our savings accounts, or maybe carrying a slightly higher balance on our credit cards. This period in time is uncomfortable, but not devastating.
The folks we serve at the Soup Kitchen of Muncie, however, are not that fortunate. They don’t have the resources and options to weather inflation alone.
They aren’t just worried about their budgets, they’re worried about not being able to feed themselves or their families.
That’s why they need your help.
Support us on Giving Tuesday
This Giving Tuesday, we are asking you to support the Soup Kitchen of Muncie with a financial gift.
Thanks to supporters like you, The Soup Kitchen of Muncie has been serving those in need in our community for 28 years. Each year, we serve more than 70,000 meals.
And this year, demand is as high as it’s ever been.
We experienced a rush of new clients after we re-opened our facility for in-person dining this fall. We are now serving about 200 people a day, and that number will only continue to grow as inflation continues to put a squeeze on people.
Inflation is a double-edged sword
Inflation, unfortunately, is a double-edged sword. It fuels demand for food assistance while also driving down our purchasing power. But we know that the generosity that makes Muncie special remains high. Let’s band together this holiday season like we’ve done in trying times before and take care of our neighbors.
You can give as little or as much as you want this Giving Tuesday. You might consider paying forward your savings from Black Friday. Use your good fortune on those doorbuster deals, for example, to make a real impact in Muncie.
This Giving Tuesday, please help us make sure that we can continue to meet the nutritional needs of our community, regardless of rising food prices.
With your help, we can fill hungry stomachs, lift spirits, and send a message that Muncie cares.