GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – COVID-era benefit programs have a seen a sharp decrease in funding, leaving many having to adjust to expensive food costs and inflation. As a result, many have turned to their local food pantry creating a high demand and an increased need for donations.

According to the U.S Department of Agriculture, food hunger has risen to pre-Pandemic levels and the Colorado Health Access Survey says families have been eating less than they should because there was not enough money for food in their budgets. We spoke to Alisha Wenger, the Executive Director at the Community Food Bank in Grand Junction and she tells us that there has been an increase of people in need of help. “Benefits programs were reduced from their maximum allotments, and so it’s been a really hard adjustment for folks… …So for instance, this last January, we served more people than we did in November of 2023 and November is historically our highest need and busiest month of the year.”

The Community Food Bank is only one of many hunger relief agencies in the valley. If you are interested in volunteering or making a donation, you can visit this link: https://www.foodbankgj.org/

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