INDIANAPOLIS — Gleaners Food Bank is trying to keep up with the high demand for food in our community.
A record number of families got food from Gleaners last month — more than 27,000 homes.
Fred Glass, president and CEO of Gleaners, said that number is more than it was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Glass believes there is a higher need for food and that's because people are struggling with the higher cost of rent and food inflation.
"People are just hurting and needing help in our lines," Glass said. “They have to make tough choices. Feeding their family and paying their rent. Feeding their family and keeping the lights on. Feeding their family and paying for their medicines."
Because of rising demand, the food bank has quadrupled its budget for food.
"Our budget, along with that need, has gone from $2 million before the pandemic to this year, we will spend close to $8 million to acquire food," Glass said.
According to Glass, he does not foresee the need slowing down any time soon.
"It's deeply concerning,” he said. “I don't see the rent phenomenon changing any time soon. I don't see the high grocery prices changing soon. I don't see the low wage phenomenon changing soon."
Organizers are already figuring out new strategies to meet the rising need. They say it can only be done with the help of volunteers and donations.