CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A recent study by Feeding America shows that Texas leads the country in food insecurity at a time when inflation and cost of living are still on the rise.
Those impacts being felt here in the Coastal Bend by some of our most vulnerable communities.
At Loaves and Fishes off Doss and Leopard streets, there is always a line wrapping around the building around 4 p.m. Many homeless Corpus Christi residents visit the building to get a warm homecooked meal.
"I've been using everything I can to get off these streets," Corpus Christi resident Stephen said. "I'm working one job now, and I'm trying to find housing, it's tough but I'm roughing it out."
But even in his hardest moments Stephen is thankful.
"That one meal is very important for my health, to keep up and stand up," he said.
Coastal Bend Food Bank Executive Director Bea Hanson said that our area is seeing impacts from food insecurity.
"We have seen an increase in demand for our services," Hanson said. "We calculate that we're going to get a 12 percent increase in this coming year."
She said that these numbers are painting a concerning picture for the future of many Coastal Bend residents as they continue to see a growing demand.
"I have never seen this big of an increase to be honest with you," Hanson said. "Even through COVID we had a great number of people lost their jobs but it was temporary."
For those like Stephen who are still trying to get their footing in life, services like Loaves and Fishes are invaluable.
"This is important to my health, and trying to get all these resources taken care of to take care of myself," he said.