Growing senior hunger From the cover
Average individual price on select grocery items
The backstory
Two-minute impact
October 2019
October 2024
Food insecurity has long been a challenge in New Braunfels and the surrounding areas, exacer- bated by rapid population growth and economic shifts, Quiring said. Historically, the region’s rural roots meant limited access to large-scale grocery stores, leaving many families dependent on smaller, costlier options, Quiring said. Over time, urbanization brought new resources, but rising housing costs and inflation have outpaced wages for many residents, creating persistent gaps in food access, Cooper said. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted vulnerabilities, as food pantry use spiked across all demographics, Cooper said. Today, rising senior populations continue to drive demand, making food insecurity a growing concern.
The population of Comal County, particularly among retirees, has been growing rapidly. With this growth comes a rising demand for services such as Meals on Wheels. Organizations such as CCSCF, the San Antonio Food Bank and the Community Resource and Recreation Center of Canyon Lake are working together to meet this increasing demand. The surge in demand for services like Meals on Wheels is further complicated by factors such as rising inflation and the increasing cost of living, placing a strain on local food assistance programs. Eric Cooper, CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, said that they have seen an increase in the number of people seeking help. “We’re seeing a big uptick in the number of people in need,” Cooper said. “The need for these services is only growing.” Tiffany Quiring, executive director of the CRRC of Canyon Lake, said that the need for the services her organization provides has increased nearly 40% year over year. “It’s not just about food,” Quiring said. “It’s about providing seniors with the support they need to maintain their independence and well-being.” Jewell said inflation combined with a growing population have increased the strain on local nonprofits. Donations of funds, food or time are essential to sustain these efforts, she said. “Food is more expensive now, and the number of people in need continues to rise,” Jewell said. “Nonprofits don’t have the elasticity to adjust like businesses do.”
Bread (per pound) $1.33 $1.94 Chicken (per pound) $1.54 $1.99 Eggs (per pound) $1.28
+45.86%
+29.22%
+163.28%
$3.37
Milk (per gallon)
$3.12
+29.49%
$4.04
SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
The details
CRRC of Canyon Lake has reported sharp increases in food pantry usage, including:
The New Braunfels Food Bank reports that food distribution is nearing “pandemic-level demand,” driven by rising living costs and affordability challenges, Cooper said. The New Braunfels Food Bank has expanded operations, Copper said, now serving 105,000 people weekly across its service area. Food distri- bution has grown steadily, though the San Antonio Food Bank did not specify by how much. Seniors remain CRRC’s largest demographic, with many experiencing challenges, including the difficulty of prioritizing their needs over those of younger generations, Quiring said.
26% rise in households served in October 2024 compared to October 2023 38% growth in individuals served year over year 41% increase in children receiving assistance 19% uptick in seniors served
SOURCE: CRRC OF CANYON LAKE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
“We’ve got seniors that won’t take the milk home because they’re worried the babies won’t have milk that comes through later,” Quiring said.
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