TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA)— Nearly one in five Mississippians experiences food insecurity, according to Feeding America. Roughly one in four children in the state is affected.
Feeding America’s latest study found Southern and rural communities are among the hardest hit.
Extra Table serves eight pantry partners
Extra Table recently wrapped up its first donor celebration week. The organization currently serves eight pantry partners in north Mississippi.
Extra Table purchases foods including rice, beans, peanut butter, fruits and vegetables, then delivers them to pantries at no cost.
Martha Price, executive director of Extra Table, said the organization is seeing increased demand.
“Across the state, we are seeing a 36% increase of people needing assistance requesting food…they’re all struggling. There are people coming in month after month, new faces, new families requesting food, and what we have to remember is 13% of these people coming in are working Mississippians. They can’t make ends meet to put dinner on the tables for families,” Price said.
Demand grows in north Mississippi
Price said demand is growing in north Mississippi. It would take millions of dollars to bridge Mississippi’s food gap.
Extra Table accepts no government funding. The organization said 100% of public donations go toward purchasing food.
Donor support allows Extra Table to purchase up to $105,000 worth of groceries every month.
Those interested in donating can visit extratable.org.
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