'It's the hungriest season:' Atlantic Food Pantry sees increased demand

Donations to food banks and food pantries tend to down in the summer, but hunger is often higher during summer months when kids are home from school. In Atlantic, a drive-thru food pantry has seen an increase in demand because of inflation and a reduction in COVID-era federal programs. Children and older adults are some of the most vulnerable to hunger. “I’d rather my kids go to bed with something in their stomach than me. I’m a grown-up. I can handle it,” said Julie Peters, who was picking groceries for her family and her sister's family. “We have seen a pretty substantial increase. Partly due to inflation, and secondly some reduction of some aids, federal aids in particular,” said Brad Osborne, a volunteer who manages the pantry. "... Households in rural counties are at a higher rate of experiencing food insecurity. Many have a lack of transportation and there’s a lack of affordable and nutritious food,” said Stephanie Sullivan, a spokesperson for Food Bank for the Heartland.