Theresa Jones, a 62-year-old from Inver Grove Heights, is one of the approximately 2,000 people who have been coming to Union Gospel Mission this week to receive a free turkey and a bag of groceries. This has become an essential part of her holiday survival strategy in recent years.

Stress and Income Changes During COVID

"Since the onset of COVID, it has been an extremely stressful time," Jones shared. "I used to be considered median-income, but now I'm classified as low-income because I simply can't afford basic necessities like rent, food, and the car required to get to my St. Paul job. It's a difficult situation."

Climbing Food Insecurity

Over the past decade, the number of people struggling to afford to eat has been on the rise. Minnesota is on track for its third consecutive year of record-breaking visits to food shelves. By the end of this year, the state is likely to see nearly 9 million food shelf visits, which is about 1.5 million more than last year. Rising prices have pushed more individuals, especially seniors, to seek assistance.

Governor's Response and Food Shelf Funding

This week, Governor Tim Walz announced that the state will utilize $5 million in the remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to support food shelves that are struggling to meet the high demand. The COVID-era act provided crucial resources for communities to recover from the pandemic, and the state must commit these remaining dollars before the end of the year."That recovery still continues for many families," Walz emphasized. "They are still facing challenges and are constantly trying to make ends meet."

Impact of Pandemic on Food Costs

During the pandemic, the sharp increase in food costs had a significant impact on families. However, this year, the growth in food prices has slowed down. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices overall are expected to increase by 2.3% in 2024, and food from grocery stores and supermarkets (excluding restaurant purchases) is only projected to rise by 1.2%.Sophia Lenarz-Coy, the executive director of the Food Group, a Twin Cities nonprofit that will distribute the funds, stated that food shelves will receive the money early next year. This additional support will be crucial in helping those in need.