Inflation has hit a 40-year high and is affecting the ability of homelessness service providers to provide basic needs like food and shelter.
Over the last 12 months, from May 2021 to May 2022, food prices have risen 10.1%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means food budgets aren’t going as far as they used to and providers, like Union Station Homeless Services, are having to get more creative, even resorting to creating Amazon wish lists for donations.
Union Station Homeless Services’ Chef Marisa said she is doing an economic version of the show “Chopped” to work with the food they have and combat rising costs and meat shortages.
“Everything is getting so expensive that I have to find creative ways to create a dish where the people won’t miss the meat,” Chef Marisa said. This approach led to her creating a new potato chicken cheesy taco dish. “They notice the difference but in a positive way.”