MARSHALL — Food shelves around Minnesota and across the country are reporting increased demand as people struggle with inflation and higher food prices. This week, local organizations that help provide food for people in need said they’re also seeing increased demand.

“In the Marshall area, it’s really starting to pick up,” said Lori Lerohl, the coordinator of the Kitchen Table Food Shelf in Marshall.

She said the food shelf location is helping an average of 270 families a month, compared to an average of about 170 families a month last year.

The number of people visiting the food shelf in Marshall has fluctuated over the past six months, Lerohl said. She anticipated that the need may increase after the holidays, and as pandemic food assistance benefits come to an end.

Christy Bottger, Marshall site coordinator for Loaves & Fishes, said more people have started coming to Esther’s Kitchen to pick up meals as well.

“We have seen an increase,” especially in the past couple of weeks, Bottger said. “And we’re seeing more families.”

Bottger said the increase in the number of meals Esther’s Kitchen serves has increased over the past month or so. In November, the site went from serving about 20 meals a night up to 38, she said. In the last two weeks, the numbers went up again, to around 45 meals a night.

Lerohl said rising food prices are a challenge for area families, but the higher costs also affect the food shelf.

“Our costs have gone up significantly,” she said.

The Kitchen Table has been fortunate to receive donations of food, and there have also been a lot of holiday season food drives in the area, she said. The food shelf also works with local grocery stores to rescue food, Lerohl said.

The Kitchen Table Food Shelf in Marshall is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the United Community Action Partnership office. UCAP also has food shelves in Tracy, Westbrook and Heron Lake. More information on locations and hours is available online at www.unitedcapmn.org/services/community-family-services/food-assistance.

Esther’s Kitchen provides take-out meals, which are served from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays at Christ United Presbyterian Church in Marshall.