40-Year High Inflation Has Significant Impact on Golden Valley’s PRISM Food Shelf
Every week, hundreds of families make their way to PRISM in Golden Valley to use the nonprofit organization’s food shelf.
On average, PRISM Executive Director Michelle Ness says they distribute 170,000 pounds of food every month. Roughly half of that food comes from the generous donations of people and local grocery stores.
But in the last four months, she’s seen a big change.
“We are down, on average, 42,000 pounds of food each month in donations,” Ness said. “So we’re seeing a big dip in donations, new families are doubling, so it’s very real right now.”
Ness says the decrease in donations is directly tied to inflation.
The PRISM food shelf is currently down 42,000 pounds of food each month in donations.
“The cost of gas is what everybody sees and notes,” she said. “This is what our suppliers feel in the supply chain. This is what our participants feel when they’re trying to get here.”
Meat and fresh produce are in short supply on the shelves at PRISM. Meanwhile, they try to keep a good balance of food on hand, and whatever they can’t get through donations, they have to go out and buy themselves.
“We’re spending more than we had budgeted, I can tell you that,” Ness said. “So we’re making sure that we get what we need. With that said, it needs to be within reason.”
Adding to the challenge is the fact that 200 more families a month are utilizing their services.
“Last year we saw our numbers go down a bit. I think the child tax credit, stimulus payments, there were a number of different things that were very helpful to families,” Ness said. “All of those have ended, and we are seeing our numbers go right back up to what they were before.”
With rising costs and an increased need, Ness is asking people to help in any way they can.
“If you want to donate or volunteer and help us out, we could absolutely use it all,” she said.
