In Enfield, Connecticut, the mix of visitors at the local food pantry has shifted significantly over the past few years. Previously, the majority of those seeking assistance were elderly or disabled individuals on fixed incomes. However, since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, an increasing number of working families have turned to the pantry in their struggle to make ends meet.

Kathleen Souvigney, the executive director of the Enfield Food Shelf, reveals that many working families share a common concern - their wages are insufficient to cover their basic needs, including food. The rising costs of childcare, housing, transportation, and heating have left them with limited resources for their grocery expenses, which have also surged in price.

According to the latest Household Pulse Survey conducted by the US Census Bureau in March, over 23 million people, or approximately one in ten adults, live in households where there is often not enough food to eat. In Connecticut, where the median income is higher than the national average, the figure climbs to one in eight.

The Grocery Price Index, which tracks prices in over 150,000 stores nationwide, reports that groceries now cost roughly 33.5% more than they did before the pandemic. Although job opportunities have improved, and wages have finally outpaced inflation, many working Americans are struggling to make ends meet. Furthermore, the expiration of pandemic support programs, such as enhanced child tax credits, student loan payment hiatuses, and more generous food stamp benefits, has exacerbated the financial strain on families.

Connecticut Foodshare, the state's food bank, has experienced a sustained high demand for assistance. Jason Jakubowski, CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, remarks that the current need surpasses levels seen at the peak of the pandemic. The food bank provides aid to over 600 food pantries, meal programs, and distribution sites, serving more than 40 million meals in the last fiscal year alone.

One of the working individuals counting on the Enfield Food Shelf is Khamphay Khen, who works full-time as a supervisor at a distribution company and holds a part-time position at a fast-food restaurant. Despite receiving adequate raises from his main job in recent years, Khen struggles to afford all the necessities for his family of six. Rising costs, including high gas prices and unexpected expenses like car repairs, have put a strain on his finances.

To alleviate the pressure on his budget, Khen visits the Enfield pantry weekly to obtain essential items such as meat, pasta, spaghetti sauce, bread, cereal, fruits, and vegetables. This helps him save approximately $30 to $50 per week, allowing him to allocate funds for other necessary expenses. Khen's motivation to save money is driven by his muscular dystrophy, recognizing that his ability to work may decrease in the future.

The Enfield Food Shelf serves around 300 to 400 households per week, offering not only food but also additional items such as clothing, laundry detergent, diapers, and pet food. Although the surge in demand initially stemmed from the pandemic's impact, the expiration of relief programs has sustained the high number of people seeking assistance.

Food banks across the country are also witnessing increased demand. Feeding America, a national network of food banks, reports that about 75% of food banks experienced a rise in the number of people served in February compared to the previous year. An Urban Institute report further reveals that one in six adults received charitable food assistance last year, up from nearly one in eight in 2019.

Chloe East, a visiting fellow at The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution, emphasizes that rising prices and stagnant wages are pressuring middle-class families. As a result, more working Americans are turning to food pantries, contributing to the persisting issue of food insecurity.

As the economy continues its recovery and the country emerges from the pandemic, ensuring access to affordable and nutritious food remains a pressing concern. Efforts from government, nonprofit organizations, and communities are necessary to address and alleviate the challenges faced by working families, whose everyday struggle for basic necessities highlights the urgent need for long-term solutions.