At the Lansing Community Food Pantry, about 25 miles southeast of downtown Chicago, volunteers are seeing more people in need as living costs rise. Every Tuesday morning, people line up in cars, on bicycles, and on foot, including seniors with empty carts, to receive fruits, vegetables, canned goods, and other essentials. Jim Lange, a retired steelworker and longtime volunteer, says the lines are now the longest he has seen in over a decade.
The article discusses the increasing affordability challenges in the United States over the past year. Despite campaign promises to lower the cost of groceries and other essentials, prices have continued to rise. The cost of beef has increased by 15 percent, bananas by 7 percent, and coffee by 19 percent. Electricity bills are up 5 percent, and families are paying more for cars, homes, insurance, and baby supplies. On average, U.S. households spent an additional $700 per month between February and September due to inflation during this period.
Former President Donald Trump has called the cost-of-living crisis a “con job” and has not addressed it in detail publicly. Lange says the need for assistance at the food pantry is clear, with many people, especially seniors, making difficult choices and traveling long distances to access food…