Food insecurity continues to threaten not only families in North Central Florida but across the nation.

Over at the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, Development Communications Director Maureen Quinlan says while donations are down, the need for food is up.

"We're not able to purchase the food that we normally can," Quinlan said.

She says rising prices create tighter budgets causing more food insecurity.

"Definitely, it makes sense that they're looking for food pantries, food programs, soup kitchens to help supplement the food for their family," Quinlan said.

With summer in full swing, Quinlan says there's more of a need for food.

"Kids are home more, spending more time at home," she said. "So, families need to stock up their shelves more."

According to the USDA, one in 10 households experienced food insecurity at some point of 2020. That equates to almost 14 million people.

"It's really impacting families who are not making a living wage even more, and especially those who are making a minimum wage," Regional Organizer for Bread for the World, Florence French, said.

She says COVID, the cost of gas, and the supply chain makes it more challenging.

Since the child tax credit expired in December, French said there's been more of a need.

"You saw food insecurity rates go up again," she said.

French encourages Congress to look at extending that child tax credit, while Quinlan says the impact a donation can make.

"I was helping out on this particular day and asking the woman if she needed more bread than I had originally gave her. And then she just broke down in tears and said, 'You don't understand. If it wasn't for this program, I wouldn't have any food tonight to feed my three children and myself,' she said.," Quinlan said.