Feeding the Frontline: Military Families Struggle with Soaring Costs

In a heartbreaking display of the challenges facing military families, car after car lined up at a food distribution event in North Chicago, each carrying members of 202 active-duty or veteran households seeking assistance. The stark reality of inflation's impact on these dedicated service members and their loved ones was laid bare, as they shared a common refrain: the rising cost of living has made it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

Serving Those Who Serve Our Nation

The Toll of Inflation on Military Families

The event, organized by the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Midwest Veterans Closet, was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who protect our country. Spouses of sailors and naval petty officers, tasked with helping distribute the food, echoed the same sentiment: inflation has become a formidable foe, eroding the purchasing power of their hard-earned paychecks.Araine Mason, a Navy wife living in housing at Naval Station Great Lakes with her husband and four children, spoke of the strain on her family's budget. "Food is getting more and more expensive," she lamented, noting that with her children on school break, they are consuming more meals at home, further straining their resources.

Seeking Legislative Solutions

The event also served as a platform to advocate for legislative change. Robert Desio, the manager of public policy and benefits at the Northern Illinois Food Bank, revealed a startling statistic: roughly 25% of active-duty military personnel experience food insecurity, a rate 2.5 times higher than the general population. Desio emphasized the urgent need for federal legislation to address this crisis, highlighting pending bills in Congress that could ease the path for military households to access the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).Congressman Brad Schneider, a co-sponsor of the proposed legislation, echoed the sentiment, stating, "We should lift barriers that prevent some military families from becoming eligible for SNAP benefits. We should also work toward ensuring servicemembers are paid a living wage."

The Ripple Effects of Deployment

The challenges faced by military families extend beyond just the financial strain. Navy petty officers Arrington Jenkins and Jamar Pegues, both stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes, shared insights into the unique difficulties encountered by their peers."With inflation the way it is, it's getting harder," Jenkins said. "Someone can be deployed anywhere in the world, and then there's only one parent to take care of the children. It's harder on all of them."Pegues added, "Inflation is really hurting us. It's getting to a level where it gets harder to take care of ourselves and our families."

A Lifeline for Those in Need

The Midwest Veterans Closet, founded by Mary Carmody, has become a vital resource for military families in need, providing not only food assistance but also clothing, particularly as the colder months approach."We don't ask questions when they come," Carmody said. "We just help them."Volunteers like Roy Colver, a former U.S. Marine Corps member, understand the precarious nature of military life. "They get spread real thin, and have to spend the dollars on something else," he explained, highlighting how a sudden deployment or change in circumstances can quickly plunge a family into financial hardship.Jae Small, a Navy spouse of 18 years, volunteers at the Veterans Closet because she has personally experienced the need for food assistance in the past. "Some of (the sailors) barely earn enough to get by," she said, underscoring the harsh realities faced by many military families.As the line of cars stretched for blocks, the event served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve our nation. The Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Midwest Veterans Closet, along with the elected officials in attendance, are working tirelessly to ensure that these brave men and women and their families receive the support they so desperately need.