Union Gospel Mission Sees Food Insecurity Rates Increase Since Pandemic

DULUTH, Minn. — A local charity is providing a record number of meals to feed those in need.

The Union Gospel Mission has seen food insecurity rates increase since the pandemic. Executive Director Katie Hagglund says food insecurity also touches the working middle class, a group not typically thought of as needing help. Hagglund says during the pandemic, state and federal agencies beefed up their programs, but eventually, those programs ended.

“Unfortunately, by the end of 2023, a lot of those benefit programs changed. So, on average Minnesotans saw $100 less in SNAP benefits. That really makes a difference with people who are already struggling with food insecurity to have that much of their budget lowered,” said Hagglund.

Cristal Kuusisto is receiving help from the Mission. She says it is important for the public to see the real faces of people who are struggling.

“That we are not all horrible people just being addicts and destroying the town. We are struggling. We have issues to find homes and some of us just got dealt crappy pasts or made poor choice or brought the wrong people in our lives and got in trouble for that,” said Kuusisto.

Cristal says the Mission has been invaluable in pointing her and others in the right direction to get the help they need. The Union Gospel Mission is open weekdays. Monetary and food donations are welcome.