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Food pantries in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin are seeing a dramatic increase in demand since 2022.

Rising grocery prices, inflation, and cuts to federal food assistance programs are key drivers of this increased need.

In 2023, nearly 15% of Milwaukee County residents and 11.8% of all Wisconsinites experienced food insecurity.

When Andrea Grittner joined Milwaukee Community Crossroads in 2022, the organization's food pantry served just over 2,000 people that year.

In 2024, that number more than tripled to over 7,000 residents, said Grittner, Community Crossroads' director of development and communications. Demand this year is expected to exceed that.

Some of the rapid rise can be attributed to Community Crossroads' efforts to serve residents beyond the south si

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