Rising holiday costs push more Hampton Roads families to food banks

As grocery prices climb and holiday meal costs rise, more families in Hampton Roads are turning to local food banks for help. Leaders say the demand is growing, and the community is stepping up to meet it.

At the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank , Chief Development Officer Craig Gallaer says the last two months have been some of their busiest of the year. Attendance at mobile pantries and partner agency programs is up 25 to 30 percent compared to past months.

“At Virginia Peninsula Food Bank and at food banks across the country, we are seeing an increase in attendance… just these past few months, we’ve seen about a 25 to 30 percent increase,” Gallaer said.

Many families are forced to make what food banks call impossible choices: deciding between paying for rent, gas, utilities, or medicin