SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Demand at Springfield’s largest food pantry has leveled off, but it remains about 60% higher than it was three years ago, according to Crosslines Community Outreach.
Ozarks Food Harvest reports nearly 90,000 people are using its network of pantries each month — more than ever before. Crosslines serves more than 100 families a day, and one in five has never needed a food pantry before.
Demand still far above pre-surge levels
Pantry visits are down 3% from last year. That follows back-to-back annual increases of 20% and 36%, leaving current demand roughly 60% above where it stood in 2023.
Crosslines CEO Jaimie Trussell said rising costs are pushing working families closer to the edge…