Inflation’s holiday curse: Sacramento families struggle to buy groceries, gas and now gifts

The soaring inflation of the past year had Betty Herrera and her family tightening the budgets for months, holding out on unnecessary purchases at grocery stores and excessive utility usage and as they sought to make every dollar count.

Now she’s looking at a challenging holiday season as she and her husband prepare to buy gifts for their six children, ages 6 to 22.

They can’t always afford the things they want.

“I have to either not pay a bill so I can give that to them, or not give them gifts at all and hope that they understand,” said Herrera, a Sacramento resident.

Sacramento and California families are wrestling with these challenges as they anticipate the holiday season – which means spending money on just about everything from gifts, meals, travel, you name it.

Inflation has forced families to scramble to accommodate their annual traditions and ensure a memorable holiday season.

Nationally, grocery prices rose about 13% over the last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cereals and bakery products increased nearly 16%, and meats and poultry increased about 8%. Gas prices, electricity and utilities have soared, increasing anywhere between 14 to 17%.

Many are undoubtedly worried about whether they must break their banks to ensure a memorable gathering.

Uncertainty can describe the feeling most families share, as they navigate holiday spending plans.

When grocery shopping, Herrera said she’s cautious about what she chooses to buy because she said a mere five items could bring her receipt total to $50, sometimes more.

“(With) the rising cost of everything, we limit ourselves,” said Herrera. “All that takes effect, (even) utilities such as gas and electricity bills. We don’t even turn on the heater because we know our electricity bills can be more than $500. We have to adapt to what we can afford.”

Herrera and her husband have been together for 27 years. Their family experienced a similar inability to afford gifts, food or travel recently during the pandemic, as COVID-19 led to job layoffs or cut hours.

Before the pandemic, Herrera was a stay-at-home mom. Her husband worked for waste management before he was injured on the job and his hours were cut. This forced Herrera to find a job.

Her kids and understanding

Her youngest loves to play with dolls and doll houses. One daughter wants to be a drummer and another is into coding.

She said their kids can see at school other students sometimes have more.

While the older ones understand their circumstances, Herrera said younger ones have a harder time comprehendingtheir situation.

“They’re thankful for whatever they have,” said Herrera. “My daughters are amazing. Even if it’s just one item, whether it’s a sweater, new socks or new pants, my kids are very thankful for whatever they get.”

Shared struggles to make ends meet

Many families are finding ways to spread holiday cheer while maintaining a responsible budget.

Regina Reese, a Bay Area a mother of three children looking to move to Sacramento, works her customer service job, but also picks up shifts with DoorDash to make extra money to pay for increased costs.

Reese has applied for rental relief and picked up food from food banks in recent months, but it hasn’t been enough to stay afloat, she said.

“I’m feeling vulnerable and in a low place,” she said. “I’m not sure how long I can keep this up.”

To help pay for groceries and gas, Reese turned to a Facebook group to ask for financial help from others. She said it’s her lastest attempt to make sure she isn’t left to resort to moving out of her rental.

Kimberly Roldan, a Sacramento a mother of two young children, said she has needed to stick to budget more in recent months: planning meals ahead, looking for grocery ads, trying to purchase foods that are in season to keep costs down. She tries to spend $600 on groceries each month.

“We budget as best as we can, and as a family we eat out one or two times a month,” Roldan said.

Roldan’s daughter is 2, so the family qualifies for WIC, a federal nutrition program for low-income women, infants and children up to the age of 5. Roldan saves about $80 per month in groceries with the program.

Sacramento County health services officials said they have seen an 11% increase in applications to WIC this year compared to 2021. Nearly 800 more people across the county applied to the program than last year.

Government assistance programs help Reese and Roldan, but inflation still forces them to budget more.

It also means fewer visits with family and friends, Roldan said, because of gas prices.

And she is thinking twice about how much to spend on Christmas gifts this year.

“How useful are the (gifts) for our giftee?” she asked. “Will they just end up in a landfill?”

Local support

Local organizations help during the holiday season. For example, Sacramento community leader Berry Accius’ nonprofit organization, Voice of the Youth, finds ways to provide goods and services for individuals experiencing financial difficulties throughout the holiday season.

To help alleviate some of the stress that comes with the festive season, he annually hosts donation eventsdistributing toys, gifts, clothes, and shoes to people who have registered for the drives.

“All people, low incomes, middle class, working class, folks need more support and help,” said Accius. “Right now they’re having to make decisions whether to spend money on food, clothes, or toys.”

“It’s important to give back. We’ve been doing this several years and it seems like the need is greater and greater,” said Accius.

In addition to the gift drive, the Voice of the Youth previously passed out gas cards in June.

Sunday the nonprofit will host a coat drive to ensure kids stay warm and comfortable during the winter. The organization’s “Winter Coats 4 Kids Drive” begins at 11 a.m. at the VOY Impact Center 4625 44th St., Room 112.

It plans to provide more than 300 jackets in different sizes.

“We just try to do the best that we possibly can to provide for our community, be a resource (to them),” Accius said.

Many organizations in the Sacramento region offer help. Here is a small sampling:

Al Misbaah: It serves more than 600 families each month. Produce and nonperishable items are distributed every second and fourth Saturday of the month, 10 am to noon, Masjid Annur Islamic Center, 6990 65th St., Sacramento. Families in need can also email resourcecenter@almisbaah.org, or can visit Al Misbaah’s new social service office at 2020 Hurley Way #110 Sacramento.

Sacramento Food Bank Services: 3333 3rd Ave Sacramento. The food bank is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Central Downtown Food Basket: 1701 L St. Sacramento. This site distributes food on the last three Thursdays of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.

Atonement Lutheran-ELCA: 9242 Kiefer Blvd, Sacramento. Food is distributed every third Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.

Neighbor Program: 3841 4th Avenue, Sacramento. The organization provides groceries for the Oak Park community every Monday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit voiceoftheyouth.com, or call (916) 949-9026.

This story was originally published November 25, 2022 at 5:00 AM.