Groceries have risen 10.5% this year

I always laugh at the government's Consumer Price Index and their estimation of "core" inflation. These numbers will come out, and it will be said that "core" inflation is, for instance, 4%--excluding "volatile" food and gas prices.

Last time I checked, food and gas are a key part of people's budgets. This is particularly true for lower income people.

This week, CBS Marketwatch reported that groceries are 10.5% higher this year than last year. See http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=41f26ef6ff284ea79bd5f8afa64a01ba&siteid=nwhpf&sguid=lIK9EAKeCEuJ74sBAiH5eA. That, combined with high gas prices, presents a significant increase in cost of living for a great number of Americans.

We are seeing this hit people as so many are now coming through to our food pantry.

Now, more than ever, is the time for us to be as generous as possible as a church and individually.

Have you noticed the increase in food prices? Has it affected your family or others that you know?