The recent spike in food prices has increased the demand for free meals among low-income and homeless Berkeley residents, pushing charitable organizations to search for ways to meet the growing need for food assistance.
During recent months, local food banks and churches are finding that escalating food prices are forcing poorer communities to rely more heavily on free-meal programs for survival.
Suzan Bateson, executive director of the Alameda County Community Food Bank, which doles out 250,000 pounds of food per week to East Bay residents and food programs, said the organization has been serving a record number of people.
"We see the effects of high prices for gas and groceries," she said. "People are calling in for help, whether it's for a bag of food or a hot meal. It is our job to supplement their food budget."