social safety net

Despite strong economic signs, food pantry lines are still growing in the Gulf South

The U.S. economy had a strong year, but more people found themselves in line at their local food pantry due to inflation and a weakened social safety net.

With pandemic-era boost to SNAP over, a Mississippi diaper bank is receiving more calls for help

With the COVID-19 public health emergency over, Diaper Bank of the Delta is trying to fill in the gap and connect struggling families to more resources.

Why 2022 was a rough year for Gulf South food pantries, and those who need them

The federal aid that Gulf South food pantries have relied on during the pandemic ended this year, but the demand for food assistance still remained high.

How the social safety net has — and hasn’t — changed in 2021 in 5 charts

Updates to SNAP, TANF and the Child Tax Credit have helped families in the Gulf South, but not everyone has been able to access the improved benefits.

Families in need received more from the social safety net in 2021. How helpful was it?

Experts hail changes like the Child Tax Credit and increases in SNAP benefits as historic. But were recipients better off after getting them?