According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, grocery food prices are expected to rise by up to 10% this year. The steep increase is causing more people to turn to local food pantries to make ends meet.

From Monday through Friday, you can find Sally Merced bagging groceries at the Honor food pantry in Middletown.

"I put enough in the bags for them to at least have three-days worth of meals," said Merced, the food pantry coordinator.

She distributes the bags from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at their curbside food pantry.

Families even get frozen meats, and in recent months, they’ve seen more people coming in because of skyrocketing food prices at grocery stores.

"A lot of people can't afford the meat that’s out there right now," Merced said.

So more families are turning to the food pantry to make ends meet.

"We’re seeing a higher usage because of the gas and the prices in the supermarket being more, but then also, the kids are out of school, and they’re our vulnerable population," said Kelly Zago, director of Operations Honor.

According to the USDA, wholesale poultry prices are expected to rise 20 to 23% this year. Egg prices expected to rise 20%, and all those price increases are hurting low income families the most.

"This time last year, we were probably averaging five or six people a day, and now were averaging 10 to 12 people a day," Zago said.

Jessica Welsh picked up food for several families from the Mental Health Association of Orange County. The lack of food that participants have because of the skyrocketing prices of food, and the need for assistance.

"There's a great financial burden," Welsh said.

Having access to food is vital for them.

"The prices are just way too high to be able to eat healthy, and when you're dealing with health issues, it's really important," Welsh said.

Organizers said if food prices continue to rise, they could see more people coming to their pantry, but they're prepared to meet the need and feed the community one bag at a time.

"They enjoy coming here because they get treated with respect and dignity, and we give them everything we got," Merced said. "We don’t hold anything back. If we have it, they need it. They get it."

If you or someone you know is in need of food, contact the Honor food pantry in Middletown at 845-343-7115 ext. 300.

If you’re interested in supporting the Honor food pantry, you can organize a canned goods food drive within your place of business or organization.