DC food pantries work together to combat increasing hunger [Video]

WASHINGTON — Food pantries are reporting a rise in hunger. The summer months coupled with rising grocery prices and the loss of federal benefits have led more DC families to find help getting food on the table.

The 11th Street bridge in Southeast connects communities across the Anacostia River, but there remains a deep disparity in food access on both sides. According to advocates, there are seventy-nine full grocery stores west of the river and only four east of the river.

The lunch line never stops at Ketchum Elementary School in Ward 8, one of sixteen summer meal sites where anyone under 18 years old can get free food.

“We’re prepared to distribute more than 100,000 meals into the community this summer to help combat some of this hunger,” said Ja’Sent Brown Chief Impact Officer with DC Central Kitchen.

DC Central Kitchen also sends its mobile meal truck to pools and parksto reach those in Wards 7 and 8: DC communities without equitable access to grocery …