For many, the holidays this year means having to make do with less

""My god, is it different this year!" Steve Posey, said this week while looking into the dairy case at Aldi supermarket in Medford, Mass. "With inflation and the cost of eggs and cheese and all that stuff, it's so ridiculous." He and his wife, India, came to the store to shop, but not for themselves. They recently picked up a second job with Instacart, to help cover their rising costs."

"They're scraping together the rest of their meal, but Posey said it's put a damper on their holiday spirit. "It kind of takes away from the joy," he said. "I don't feel it this year. To be honest, I'm just trying to stay above water." Posey also has seen how much the veterans he works with are struggling. Many saw their federal SNAP food assistance disrupted this month during the government shutdown, and still haven't caught up."

Many families face higher holiday costs due to inflation, especially rising prices for eggs, cheese, and other food staples. Some households have picked up second jobs or turned to food pantries to make ends meet despite steady employment in care and service positions. Federal SNAP payments were disrupted during the government shutdown, leaving recipients with reduced or delayed benefits and exacerbating food insecurity. Reduced benefits and higher expenses are leading families to substitute cheaper items, scale back meals, and feel diminished holiday joy. Increased frustration and stress among affected populations correlate with rising domestic violence and substance use.

Read at www.npr.org