Watching Your Wallet: Food insecurity in Central Valley amid rising costs

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- From rising gas prices to groceries and the cost of living, many salaries aren't keeping up with inflation.

"Unfortunately, when people are in need, we don't realize that sometimes it actually is our neighbor," says City Center Chief Development Officer, Desmond Camacho.

Camacho says the non-profit is seeing more families dining at CC's kitchen located in the city center campus.

"We've seen people from all different walks come down here," he said. "Whether it's losing a job, in between jobs, a higher PG&E bill, rent went ahead and went up or taxes went up, and so they're trying to figure out how am I going to make this payment."

CC's kitchen was named in memory of Cecilia de Ruiz Miller, a woman of faith and family who dedicated her life to serving families with dignity and trust.

"The way CC cared for people is what we also wanted to have," Camacho said. "That same kind of care when someone has a seat around the table."

Across all campuses and through food ministry, Fresno's City Center is on pace to distribute more than 1 million meals this year alone.

The City Center Campus also features a grab-and-go counter next to CC's kitchen.

"Hot meals, we're looking at roughly a few hundred per evening that is being made out of CC's Kitchen," Camacho said.

On average, 10,000-14,000 volunteers help prepare and distribute meals each year. Food ministry is one of the most needed spaces for volunteers, as it allows City Center to expand its outreach to those in need.

"They can let their guard down instead of being in survival mode or scarcity," Camacho said. "It can be more about the generosity that people have provided and the feeling of the care."

Businesses can host food drives or volunteer.

You can sign up at the City Center website.

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