NeighborGood Community Panty (neighborgoodpantry.org) was sad to hear that last month the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its Household Food Security in the United States in 2022 report showing that one in seven people, including one in five children in the United States live in food insecure households – an increase of more than 30% and 40% respectively compared to 2021. That is the highest rate and number since 2014 and the largest one-year increase since 2008, which many will remember as the first year of the Great Recession.
While many people are shocked by these numbers, NeighborGood Community Pantry is not. These numbers reflect what they and other area pantries have been seeing first-hand over the past several months: increased need, lines more than doubling in size and record high attendance of new families.
The issue of food insecurity in Sarpy County and across the country is persistent and complex. The USDA’s most recent data is merely a symptom of a chronic problem. NeighborGood is so grateful to their partners who work in housing, childcare, education and other community provider sectors across the county to support our neighbors. The need continues to persist and will only be able to continue by working together.
NeighborGood serves those in need in the greater Sarpy County and Ralston community. For more information, go to neighborgoodpantry.org or contact Executive Director Melissa Nelson at neighborgoodcommunitypantry@gmail.com.