A slow economy and rising prices have hit local food pantries hard. 

Prices at the supermarket have increased by 8.5% to 18% in the past year.  That, combined with other factors such as scarcity of some food products has made things tough for pantries that try to keep people fed.  The Director of Genesis Food Pantry Linda Follet says that they are seeing more people than ever in need of help with groceries.

Follet says that making things even harder is fewer volunteer workers.  She says when Covid hit many of the volunteers stayed home and have not yet returned. Follet made the remarks while speaking to the Coffeyville Rotary Club.