With many families struggling financially, food pantries in Gaston County are reporting a decline in donations as the need grows.
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With more than a month until school reopens, area families will have to save a little more this summer. With kids at home more and inflation eating away at people’s assets, people are asking themselves, “where is the money?”
With summer vacation upon us, parents understand that their children need to eat when they’re at home all day, but some families are making financially conscious decisions to survive.
It’s an issue that Charlotte-area food panties are struggling to address.
Gaston County Crisis Assistance Ministries serves nearly the entire county but sees astronomical demand.
“The demand for food is up, but donations are down,” said Executive Director Kim Wheeler. “We’re seeing a 20 percent increase in food requests since last June. At a quick glance, we’ve fed 1,000 families since January.”
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Crisis relief ministries are supported by faith communities. Their work is so important. They helped 200 families with food assistance in June alone, and they have no plans to let up.
Wheeler told WCNC Charlotte anchor Collin Mayfield that the food pantry itself is struggling to keep up with demand, and it’s not the only one in the situation: Inflation is still impacting grocery store items, stretching budgets to the limits.
“A lot of the big-ticket items that people depend on us for are no longer available to us,” she said. “Big-ticket items like peanut butter, which is a good source of protein for kids, are no longer available to us. Cereal, everything is out of stock right now.”
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Wheeler said Crisis Assistance is working to shore up their assets, as are many families where parents are working two or three jobs to make ends meet — a vicious cycle that no one can get ahead of right now.
Donations of both food and cash are needed, if you would like to help you can donate online at
Contact Collin Mayfield at cmayfield@wcnc.com or follow him on Facebook. X And Instagram.
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