TAMPA, Fla. — The latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor show annual inflation has eased slightly in April for the first time in months. 

Still, the price of consumer goods remains near a 40-year high, meaning Americans are likely not immediately feeling the relief. Experts say this is especially true for lower-income families who are already struggling to make ends meet, which has put a strain on many Bay area nonprofits.


What You Need To Know

  • The price of consumer goods remains near a 40-year high, meaning Americans are likely not feeling relief from a recent decrease in inflation

  • Experts say this is especially true for lower-income families who are already struggling to make ends meet

  • That, in turn, has put a strain on many Bay area nonprofits

  • Catholic Charities is among the many reporting an increase of people in need of services

Catholic Charities is among the many reporting an increase of people in need of services.

The organization’s Foundations of Life centers provide support for pregnant women and mothers, offering medical services and supplies. Usually, the centers start working with a woman while she is pregnant, but the manager of the group's Tampa location said there has been a surge in new mothers who are seeking emergency aid.

“Inflation is definitely playing a role in this because the amount of money they get in food stamps, or whatever state help they are getting, doesn’t go as far,” said pregnancy center manager Liliana Giminez.

Giminez said the women who are contacting them are in need of baby supplies — from cribs to necessities like diapers and wipes. She also said the center is now getting calls from women affected by the nationwide baby formula shortage.

“We are getting a lot of requests for emergency assistance,” she said. “People who are not clients of ours, for formula.”

Currently, Giminez said the center has a good supply of formula and other items, thanks to the generosity of parishioners throughout the Bay area and from baby shower events held in recent weeks. However, she said supplies tend to dwindle later in the summer and more donations will be needed.

Supplies can be dropped off at any Foundations of Life centers, and monetary donations can be made online.