Americans reduced holiday donations on Thanksgiving in 2023 due to the rising inflation rate, which increased demands for food bank use.
According to the study released on November 20 by technology company Divert, Inc., high prices significantly impact Americans' willingness to donate food during the holiday season.
Americans Reduce Holiday Food Donations
A pantry worker hands a man a whole chicken at the La Colaborativa Food Pantry in Chelsea, Massachusetts on November 23, 2021. - Food given out is designed to be culturally sensitive and serve the different cultures of the area with some people receiving chicken, some turkeys and others pork as well as fruits and vegetables and dry goods. The pantry claimed that many of their normal suppliers had nothing to give them, due to supply chain problems, and that they had to spend the last two months scouring for donations and go out of state for supplies to make sure they had enough food and goods to give out today. The city of Chelsea is home to many diverse groups of cultures and estimated population of 40,000 people, with 18% of them living at or below the poverty level, according to the US Census Bureau.
Even though inflation eased as of October 2023 and has fallen to 2.1%, and the peak was in 2022 at 9% and increased to 20% under Biden's administration, the inflation has still affected US consumers and made Americans less likely to give.
According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), grocery prices, mainly in the food-at-home category, have grown over the past few years, hitting 13.5% in August 2022.
The Divert report shows nearly 46% of Americans said they were more likely to donate to food banks during last year's holiday season. However, only 25% were going to donate this year, which increased demands for food bank use was expected this holiday season.
The report said, "Those who are donating less to food banks this season cite increasing food and grocery costs as the number one reason driving their decision."
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported the rising hunger problem in America. About 17 million households were food insecure in 2022, 13.5 million in 2021, and 13.8 million in 2020.
These numbers translate to roughly 44 million people living in food insecure households in 2022, a 31% increase compared to 2021. The growing food insecurity has also increased the demand for food bank use.
The Feeding America network of over 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs said in a press conference that there had been an increased demand for food assistance in food banks this year, which the organization blamed on high food prices.
Casey Marsh, Chief Development Officer at Feeding America, said, "For millions of people, the holiday season can look very different as they turn to food banks to help provide nourishment for their families."
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Former President Trump Sends Thanksgiving Messages
On November 3, Trump issued two Thanksgiving messages. The first message said that Trump wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving before he criticized several prominent figures in his numerous legal battles and political spats.
His second message includes a video file that thanked God and praised the men and women in uniform who continuously serve and protect the US.
Trump also recalled the times the country encountered a difficult time, facing various issues such as deep political divisions and the illegal immigration crisis along the southern border.
He said that Americans should not lose their hearts and hope that the next Thanksgiving they would celebrate would be much stronger, safer, prosperous, and greater than ever before.
On Wednesday, he declared the day a "National Day of Thanksgiving" while calling for unity.
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