SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Many food pantries across Central New York have seen the impact on inflation. The cutting of pandemic era extra food stamp assistance has caused a significant rise in patrons.
“My numbers just this past month have gone up by like 20 families. Our families are anywhere between one person to eight people, so we’ve had a major influx,” said Kristi Schoff, director of the food pantry at the Syracuse Northeast Community Center.
The influx Schoff discusses has led to an increase in clients who have never shopped at her pantry before. Kristi Conklin, a first-time shopper at Schoff’s pantry, said purchasing regular meals at big stores are becoming near impossible to buy.
“I wouldn’t even imagine going into Wegman’s. Everything is so expensive. Spaghetti, steak, and chicken, it’s like 80 or 90 dollars. You end up spending that much on just a meal,” Conklin said.
While Conklin still shops at dollar stores, it’s becoming increasingly harder for her and others. Syracuse University professor Patrick Penfield said dollar store chains have been seeing a similar increase in prices alongside big stores like Wegman’s.
“The stuff that you used to buy there was for a dollar, now it’s two, three, four dollars. It’s getting really expensive now to go to the dollar store, so people are flocking to food pantries because they’re free,” Penfield said.
Patrons of the food pantry are not the only ones feeling the effects of the price hike; workers are facing many difficulties as well. Tia Roundy, a worker at the pantry, said it’s become increasingly tough.
“It does get hard, I’ve got four kids of my own, and kids can eat,” Roundy said.
Maintaining a job, raising her children, and working at the pantry has given Roundy a lot of responsibility. With her added benefits being cut back in March, she said her life has changed.
“You actually have to look at pricing. You have to know what you’re buying, and the quality you’re buying it in. Otherwise, you’re not going to have anything for the full month,” Roundy said.
Despite the difficulties for both the workers and the shoppers, Roundy and Schoff both said there is nothing better than serving the community at the pantry.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Schoff said.
“I have utilized foot pantries to make sure there is food on the table myself, so it is a wonderful feeling being able to help others,” said Schoff.
Roundy also mentioned the importance of being able to serve the community.
“On a personal level it feels good knowing that people come out of here being able to feed their families. We’ve had many people come in crying because they are so grateful.”
While the effects of inflation and the cutting of added assistance are infectious, so are the smiles and giving taking place at the pantry every Monday and Wednesday.