More Americans are experiencing food insecurity today than at the height of the pandemic.

June 9, 2026

According to a recent NPR report, a survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found food insecurity is now higher than it was during the summer of 2020, when COVID-19 drove unemployment into the double digits. See the full article HERE

While employment has stabilized, many families are still struggling to make ends meet.

People line up inside a community pantry, shopping at tables piled with boxes and canned goods.
Monthly Pop-Up Market at Avenue Terrace

Rising grocery prices, higher transportation costs, inflation, and reductions in public assistance programs are putting enormous pressure on household budgets.

One quote from the article captures the challenge:

“If you’re adding another $100 to your budget each month just to put gas in your car, where is that $100 coming from? Most typically, they’re having to pull it from the grocery budget.”

At Avenue, we see this reality every day.

Participation in our monthly food distributions and Pop Up Pantry events continues to grow as more families seek support.

Even residents living in affordable housing are often traveling farther to find affordable groceries, adding transportation costs to already stretched budgets.

For households with limited disposable income, every dollar spent on gas is a dollar that cannot be spent on food.

Our seniors are feeling the impact too. At Fulton Gardens, our affordable housing community for low-income older adults, reductions in food assistance have left many residents searching for new ways to access healthy food and essential household items.

How you can help this summer

Avenue is inviting individuals, organizations and corporate partners to join our food security efforts and make a direct impact in the lives of residents.

Pop Up Grocery Markets: Volunteer teams of just 2 to 3 people can help unload, organize, and distribute fresh food at our apartment communities. Just a few hours can help hundreds of residents access healthy food closer to home.

Pop Up Pantry Partnerships: Organize a food and household essentials drive. Donations of food, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and household necessities help families stretch limited budgets while reducing transportation costs. Check out the WISHLIST HERE

  • Sponsor a food drive.
  • Volunteer at a Pop Up Grocery Market.
  • Adopt an apartment community.

Together, we can strengthen food security, support our neighbors, and help Houston families thrive.

For more information, please email us at devcomm@avenuecdc.org 

Written by Michael Carpenter

This story was originally shared on LinkedIn. Please click here to view the original.