Dependency of US citizens on 'Food Banks' rises due to record inflation -

Washington: The record inflation in the United States is taking a heavy toll on ordinary citizens. Faced with inflation, unemployment and recession, American citizens are now turning their march toward food banks. In the last few months, the number of citizens in food banks run by voluntary and social organizations has increased by 20%. At the same time, a survey revealed that US citizens have turned their backs to supermarkets to reduce household expenses and have increased the use of ‘dollar stores’.

Over the past year, inflation has been steadily increasing in the United States due to the wrong policies of President Joe Biden. It was revealed last month that the savings of the US people have decreased to a large extent due to this rising inflation. It was revealed that over the previous six months, American citizens had to spend an amount of $114 billion from their emergency savings (Rainy Day Savings). At the same time, due to the increasing inflation every month, a US citizen can save only five per cent of his income at the end of the month, according to the report of the Federal Reserve. The financial institutions reported that the average amount in the savings account of US citizens also decreased by nine thousand dollars.

With the reduction in savings, US citizens have also started cutting their daily expenses. Many US families have stopped having one meal at home and are now relying on food banks. Of the nearly 200 food banks operating in the United States, 45 per cent of food banks reported a steady increase in the number of citizens coming to them for assistance. In some food banks, the increase is as high as 20%. Many food banks are complaining that their budgets are collapsing.

Analysts claim that the growing overcrowding at food banks signifies the desperation of ordinary US citizens and families. According to the information provided by the US Department of Agriculture, nearly forty million citizens are deprived of essential food. It was also claimed that it is continuously increasing due to record inflation. In June, the inflation index in the United States was recorded at 9.1%. This is the highest in the last four decades. Food prices in the United States have increased by eight to 15%. Fuel prices have increased by almost 60%. At the same time, due to the economic recession, there are indications that the jobs of ordinary citizens of America are also in danger. It is also coming to light that US citizens have started relying on ‘Dollars Stores’ that provide products for one dollar instead of large retail stores and supermarkets to reduce costs.

Due to rising inflation and economic recession, the American people’s resentment against the Biden administration has also started to increase. In a poll released last month, 88% of voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction. While 54% of the voters criticized that the US middle class has not benefitted from Biden’s policies.