Local food banks anticipate food insecurity spike as economy slows down 

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — With the summer bringing in fewer tourists, local food banks say those in the service industry who work less over the summer often need additional food assistance.

"It's not something that's really talked about," says Charles Huff, the LGBTQ Center of the Desert's food security director.

According to Visit Greater Springs, 1 in 4 local jobs are supported by tourism. But, Huff says the economy has made it increasingly difficult for people to put food on the table.

"They're working, but it's just not enough anymore...And in just in general observation, one of the things we've been observing is how many people are coming to us with out sustainable housing. Some people are living in cars, they're living on a couch with someone," Huff says.

Local business owners say the summer slow down can mean fewer shifts for employees.
"Last summer was probably the first time that I had to have a meeting with everyone, like 'guys, I'm going to have to at least take a few hours from everyone,' " says Elizabeth Ayala, co-owner of El Salvador Cafe in Palm Springs.

Ayala says last summer, the restaurant would see no customers for hours at a time.

"But it wasn't just us. It was like our neighbors. Everyone else just slow," she says.

Huff at the LGBTQ Centers Food Bank says the need for food asisstance just keeps increasing.

"Things are just becoming much, much more precarious for people," Huff says.