By Bekah Clawson, President & CEO
Rising Grocery Prices, Rising Hunger
Across East Central Indiana, families are feeling the strain of rising grocery prices in ways that are becoming impossible to ignore. What used to be a routine trip to the store has turned into a weekly calculation of what can be sacrificed to make ends meet. As the cost of food, fuel, and basic necessities continues to climb, more households are being pushed into choices no one should have to make.
Do I pay the electric bill, or do I buy groceries this week? Can I afford gas to get to work, or do I stretch what’s left in the pantry a little longer?
These are the real questions facing thousands of our neighbors — working parents, seniors on fixed incomes, and families already living on the edge. At Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, we see our neighbors face these struggles every day. And as prices rise, the number of people turning to us and our partner agencies for help continues to grow.
Our Mobile Market distributions have seen steady increases in attendance, with many first‑time visitors seeking support after finding their budgets stretched beyond capacity. School‑based The Big Idea distributions are serving more children and caregivers, and our Senior Safety Net partners report that older adults are being hit especially hard as food and medication costs rise simultaneously.
We also depend heavily on our Agency Partners — the local food pantries, churches, and community organizations that have deep, trusted relationships with the people most affected by rising prices. These partners are seeing the same surge in need, often from families who have never asked for help before. Their frontline insight is invaluable, and their increased demand reflects the growing pressure across the entire county.
But food banks and pantries are not immune to the same economic forces affecting the families we serve. The cost of purchasing food has risen sharply. Transportation expenses — from fuel to vehicle maintenance — continue to climb. At the same time, reductions in federal nutrition programs have created a significant gap in the safety net. That gap now falls on organizations like ours and the partners we rely on.
Hunger is not just a personal hardship — it is a community issue that affects health, education, workforce stability, and long‑term economic vitality. As grocery prices continue to rise, we must work together to ensure that no family in East Central Indiana is left behind.
At Second Harvest, we will continue showing up with dignity, compassion, and practical support. But lasting solutions require all of us — local partners, donors, policymakers, and neighbors — standing together to ensure everyone has access to the food they need to thrive. While you’re here, consider donating, volunteering, or learning about advocacy.