Catholic Charities: "Pretty critical" food insecurity in Memphis as demand rises and food costs climb

Kiki Hall, senior director of community engagement at Catholic Charities of West Tennessee, told the Memphis City Council's Council Connect podcast that food insecurity in Memphis and Shelby County is "pretty critical," and that her agency is seeing increased need as federal supports wane and grocery costs rise.

Hall said Catholic Charities operates a mobile pantry four days a week, distributes daily meal bags five days a week, maintains a clothing closet open four days a week for women and children, and runs a baby essentials program and an intensive Tennessee Strong Families case-management program for pregnant mothers.

"I would say it's pretty critical," Hall said when asked about the current state of food insecurity in Shelby County. She attributed the worsening conditions to several recent changes: the end of many COVID-era assistance programs,…