Over the past few years, we’ve all felt the weight of the world a little more heavily. Between a global pandemic, rising prices, and extreme weather, it’s no wonder that more and more Americans are struggling to put food on the table. In fact, food insecurity—when a household doesn’t have reliable access to enough nutritious food—has been on the rise.
In 2022, 12.8% of U.S. households were food insecure. In 2023, that number climbed to 13.5%. Among those affected were nearly 14 million children.
These numbers aren’t just statistics—they reflect real families, neighbors, and friends. And the people working to feed them? They’re food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters—what I call food aid organizations.
Last year, I launched the Midwest Foodbanks & Pantries Survey to better understand how these organizations are coping with three major challenges: climate change, COVID-19, and inflation. My research included responses from 109 organizations across Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio, as well as 11 follow-up interviews that offered deeper insights.
What We Learned from the Frontlines of Food Aid
Food aid organizations are remarkable. They show up day after day, often with limited staff and resources, to make sure no one goes hungry. But they’re not invincible. Here’s what I found:
1. Severe Weather: Temporary But Disruptive
Storms and flooding have hit the Midwest hard in recent years. While the majority of weather-related disruptions lasted from a few hours to a few days, they still had ripple effects.
Snow, ice, and extreme cold were the most frequently reported issues. About a third of organizations surveyed said they’d had to shut down entirely due to weather, sometimes for a week or more. When they reopen, they often see an unexpected surge in clients, which can quickly deplete limited food supplies.
Figure 1: Bar chart of Weather Conditons Severely Interupting Organizations (Food Aid Organizations) Functions
2. COVID-19: Shortages, Shifts, and Silver Linings
The pandemic changed everything. During the height of COVID-19, over 80% of food aid organizations reported needing to change how they operated, shifting to drive-thru pick-ups, home deliveries, and outdoor distributions.
Figure 2: Column chart of Total Food Aid Organizations Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic
Some of these changes have stuck around for the better. A few organizations noted that their new models actually made food more accessible for people who couldn’t travel easily or had mobility challenges.
While most organizations today report they’ve mostly bounced back from COVID’s impact, about a quarter still feel its lingering effects, mostly when staff or clients get sick.
3. Inflation: The Big One
Inflation was, hands down, the biggest source of hardship. Over two-thirds of organizations said it caused across-the-board food shortages—everything from meat and eggs to canned goods and baby formula.
Figure 3: Pie chart of Food Shortage Categories
Not only did inflation make it harder to get food, but it also increased the need for food. In January 2023 alone, many organizations reported a 20% spike in people seeking help.
Think about that: fewer supplies, more people to feed. A brutal combination.
Seasons of Strain: Why Winter (and Summer) Are the Toughest
Winter is the most difficult season for food aid organizations. Not just because of snow and road conditions, but because the need is simply greater. People have higher heating bills, public transit is less reliable, and volunteers are harder to come by.
Surprisingly, summer is the second hardest time of year. Why? Because schools are closed, and with them go free breakfast and lunch programs. Families who rely on those meals often turn to food pantries when school is out.
What Makes Some Organizations More Resilient?
From my interviews, one pattern emerged clearly: community networks matter. Organizations that were part of strong regional partnerships—where resources, volunteers, and information were shared—bounced back more quickly after a crisis. Whether it’s a winter storm, a wave of COVID cases, or a price spike in the grocery aisle, collaboration is key.
That’s why one of my biggest recommendations is that food aid organizations and their networks plan for short-term, unpredictable food shortages. Having a flexible, community-supported system can make all the difference.
A Glimpse of Hope: What One Organization is Doing Right
During the summer of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with Hope Center, a food pantry that decided to take its food supply into its own hands.
They created Hope Farm, a small urban farm that now grows fresh produce for pantry clients, especially for refugees with farming backgrounds who can reconnect with the land and their traditions. The farm includes open fields, raised beds, and even a hydroponic greenhouse that grows food year-round, regardless of the weather.
Image 1: Hope Farm
Hope Center’s model shows what’s possible when organizations dream beyond scarcity. It’s about food, yes—but also dignity, sustainability, and belonging.
What Does This All Mean?
Our world is changing fast. Climate disasters, economic shifts, and public health crises are making food insecurity more common and more complex. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned through this research, it’s that food aid organizations are resilient.
They’re run by people who are kind, relentless, and profoundly dedicated. People who, despite impossible odds, refuse to let their neighbors go hungry. Not because it’s easy. Not because it’s profitable. But because it’s the right thing to do.
We owe them not just our gratitude, but our support—and a food system that’s as strong, adaptable, and compassionate as they are.
Thank you for reading.
Let’s keep learning from and lifting up the people who are feeding our communities, one box, bag, or hot meal at a time.
Angelina Mark is a junior at the O’Neill School in Public and Environmental Affairs, majoring in Environmental Management with a minor in Environmental Science. Her Honors Thesis is “Midwest Foodbanks & Pantries Survey: Evaluating Climate Change, COVID-19, and Inflation.” She plans to pursue coral reef restoration and conservation upon her graduation from the O’Neill School.
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