PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Alex Hogue works at a thrift shop and says she knows the value of a dollar.
"It's been really hard, because not everyone in our household works, and we also have to pay for food which has skyrocketed recently, so it's been pretty bad," said Hogue.
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As grocery prices, rent and utility costs have increased, she said many people she knows have struggled to keep up.
"It's really difficult because there's a lot of homelessness around this area…and the income in this area is really low in comparison to food prices," said Hogue.
She said other than regular grocery stores, food pantries are limited.
"I hope even more food pantries open so that we have even more access to it," said Hogue.
Jennifer Yeagley is the CEO of St. Petersburg Free Clinic and said the organization is expanding its reach to Lealman.
It’s opening an appointment-based food pantry located at the Jared S. Hetchkopf Community Food Bank.
"69% of our neighbors in the Lealman area are living in poverty or living in the ALICE population: Asset limited, income constrained, employed. That means folks are working but their paychecks aren’t stretching far enough to afford the basics," said Yeagley.
Organization leaders said there is a huge need for food pantries here in the Lealman and Kenneth City areas.
"As utility costs go up, that’s going to squeeze family budgets elsewhere," said Yeagley.
The pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and organizers said eventually the location will also offer healthcare and transportation services.
"It’ll make a huge difference, because again, the income that people get comparison to how much food is, is very drastic, so it’ll definitely be very helpful for families that are low income," said Hogue.
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