SAN DIEGO — Hunger in the United States — as well as San Diego County — is on the rise.
A new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed at least 17 million households faced food insecurity in 2022, which is nearly 3.5 million more than the agency reported in 2021.
Feeding San Diego, a local nonprofit, says it's seeing the highest demand it ever has.
"We're able to cope but not able to meet the rising demand," said Bob Kamensky, interim CEO of Feeding San Diego. "What we're seeing now has been a steady increase over time that's now overshadowing the peaks during the pandemic."
Food insecurity is increasing on a national level, especially among children. The USDA says roughly 13 million kids lived in a food insecure household in 2022. The report also found 17 million households struggled to get enough food that year. an increase from 13.5 million households in 2021. The report didn't give an explanation for the rise, but said food insecurity is determined by household circumstances, the economy, along with Federal, state and local policies.
Kamensky said the service is a necessity.
"It hurts to see it happen because you know most of these people, the vast majority are not coming because they have to but because they need to," he said.
He said he believes inflation, rising cost of living and the end of pandemic era programs are all factors into the growing need for food. Feeding San Diego is relying on community support to help keep up with the demand.
"San Diegans have risen to the occasion in the past and this is not a time to shy away from it," he said.
Learn how you can donate, volunteer or find help through Feeding San Diego here.
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