# Food Pantry Patrons Face 'Too Much Month at End of Money'

> Food pantry users report rising costs and federal aid cuts leaving them with less money each month.
- Title: Food Pantry Patrons Face 'Too Much Month at End of Money'
- Summary: Food pantry users report rising costs and federal aid cuts leaving them with less money each month. Rising grocery prices and reduced federal food benefits…
- Keywords: food pantry, federal food benefits, grocery costs, food insecurity, pandemic disruptions, inflation, snap benefits, food banks, news, local, Food, Pantry
- Source: The Boston Globe — https://bostonglobe.com/2026/10/18/nation/food-pantry-patrons-face-too-much-month-end-their-money
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: food pantry, federal food benefits, grocery costs, food insecurity, pandemic disruptions, inflation, snap benefits, food banks, news, local
## Chris Manno's Story
Chris Manno, 57, helps families at a food pantry then shops herself after her federal food benefits dropped by $300 monthly.

> People are hungry, and they are scared
## Rising Food Costs
Grocery prices increased 2.5 percent over the past year and 30 percent from 2019 to 2025.
## Federal Benefits Cut
The Trump administration cut $1 billion in federal aid for antihunger programs and trimmed SNAP funding last year.
## Food Bank Demand Spike
Food banks report a 20 percent increase in families served this August compared to last August.
## Jacqueline Marquez's Struggle
Jacqueline Marquez, 29, waited 90 minutes at a food distribution site for fresh produce while rationing gas for essentials.
## SNAP Participation Drop
SNAP participation fell by 5 million people from July 2025 to June 2026.
## Food Insecurity Crisis
Nearly three-quarters of lower-income adults report difficulty covering groceries, housing, medical care, or transportation costs.
## Key takeaway

Rising grocery prices and reduced federal food benefits are pushing more families to food pantries as they struggle to afford basic needs.