‘Life Is So Expensive’: Inflation, High Cost of Living Has San Mateo County Residents Turning to Food Banks

Sandra Sencion

Oct. 9, 2024

San Mateo – At 8:30 on a gray Thursday morning, Ines Flores, age 75 and towing a blue wagon, arrived at the front of a snaking line she joined more than an hour ago.   

“Five families,” she said. “Please.”

Volunteers quickly loaded her wagon and filled her shopping bags with cartons of milk, dozens of eggs, lettuce, carrots, bell peppers, apples, watermelons, beans. Later she would share everything with families from her church who were busy working.

“The problem is there are so many poor people,” the Daly City resident said. “Life is so expensive. How are they going to pay the rent and buy food?”

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