From community kitchens to factories: Detroit reflects the cost of living crisis days before the elections in the United States

Some are seen asleep on the table, others are talking in a low voice. A few meters away there is a free shower and laundry service, a blessing for those who have nothing. In this corner of Detroit, the most important city in Michiganon the border of the United States with Canada, about 100 people eat every day thanks to the work of the organization Manna Community Meal.

The number of those who pass through this space of solidarity in the San Pedro Episcopal Church grew by 25% in the last year, says the leader of the mission, Jeff DeBruyn. “Probably half of them live on the streets, and others have a home, but perhaps without a kitchen or access to food. Other people may have a home, but not enough money to buy food,” he explains to Clarion.

A good part of those who attend the dining room have some type of job, but in recent times the salary is not enough. He food costfuel and health has skyrocketed this last year due to the war in the gulf and the tariffs promoted by the Trump government that made basic products such as meat, bread and fruit more expensive.

The cost of living is the most relevant concern of Americans when voting November 3. National legislators and governors are elected and, although Trump is not on any ballot, it is considered a key referendum for Trump’s administration. 67% believe that inflation It will be the most decisive issue when deciding your vote.

In Michigan, food inflation hit even harder than in other places in the country. There are surreal cases: in a supermarket on the outskirts of Detroit, this correspondent saw apples for $1.99. Every apple. And an onion, also per unit, $1.49. A steak, which was on sale, was offered for $15. But you can see better quality individual cuts for $25. That is why many already prefer wholesale chains or businesses like Dollar Treewhich is a kind of “everything for a dollar”, a company that usually flourishes with the crisis and in which profits grew by 7% so far this year.

“The money is not enough,” is what Clarion heard dozens of times in this state, a replica of what is happening throughout the United States and that affects not only the most humble sectors but also the middle class, which increasingly lives with just enough and has seen annual inflation increase to a 3,7% last month, driven mainly by increases in fuel, energy and food. The family burden also grew because, to stop the rise in prices, the Federal Reserve He raised interest rates and thus made credit cards, homes and cars more expensive.

An investigation of Poverty Solutions from the University of Michigan reveals worrying data in the world’s leading economic power: almost 40% of Michigan residents have difficulty covering their basic needs (even if they are people with work, they cannot save or suffer if any extra expenses arise), and around 13% live below the federal poverty line, which means that a household of three earns less than $27,320 a year. The study does not include the most recent months, when inflation rose, he states Amanda Nothaftprogram director.

In the community kitchen, Eric, 59, removes a tray with two lactal bread sandwiches and a pot of bean soup. He says that his lungs are sick and that months ago he suffered a heart attack that left him with a health debt of $50,000. He works in delivery, but it’s not enough for him. Says he’s going to vote for Democratic candidates next week: Senator Abdul El Sayed and the governor Jocelyn Benson. “Trump deserves punishment because the economy is getting worse,” he says.

Michigan is a state that traditionally swings between Democrats and Republicans, but in 2024 voted for Trump. Now it is key in the race so that the Democrats can recover the Senate with the contribution of El Sayed, who could be elected the first muslim senator of American history. As in the entire country, here we talk about the pocketbook.

John He’s an electrician who just bought cleaning supplies at the Dollar Tree in a neighborhood outside Detroit. “I can’t complain because I have a good job. But even for me everything is more expensive, more difficult. There are no good salaries. They pay you little and everything goes up. It’s hard to live now. I blame Trump for that: he lies, talks a lot and does nothing. I didn’t vote for him, but even less so now: I’m going to vote for anyone who isn’t republican”, he states.

Gweendell Mitchell says to be democrat of all life. “People are suffering. It’s a shame to have to decide whether to buy food or get gas. Everything is more expensive. I don’t eat a lot of meat, but now I can’t afford a steak or things I used to buy. Many people regretted voting two years ago for Trump because he said he was going to do a lot of things and he didn’t do anything. Nobody is going to tell you that things are better. We are going through very difficult times in this country,” he adds.

Trump’s popularity has fallen and today he has a 60,4% of disapproval of his management, the lowest peak of his mandate, according to the average of polls RealClearPolling. 70% reject his handling of inflation. These are hard figures one week before the elections.

In recent times, the president has tried some measures to alleviate the price of fuel, such as importing diesel from Russia. Another was to promote lower-priced service stations in disadvantaged locations, supposedly a private commercial initiative that received a boost from the White Housealthough it is not clear how these prices are economically sustained.

In a neighborhood of boarded-up houses in Detroit and where it is common to see small groups of teenagers gathering on the corners despite it being school hours, one of those service stations named “Freedom Fuel“, painted with dozens of American flags, stars and stripes. Offers one gallon (3.8 liters) of regular gasoline at $3.99when the average in Michigan is 4.8. A year ago, the average was 3.10.

“I come here to load cheaper gasoline,” he says. Stanleya retiree from 72 years to Clarín. Here it costs a few cents less than at most service stations. I don’t know how long it’s going to last, but it’s not bad.”

Stanley voted for Trump in 2024 and next week he will elect the republican candidates. “I’m not saying Trump is perfect, he sometimes says stupid things, but beyond everything, he’s fine.” Asked about the cost of livingadmits that “gasoline is going up, it is difficult to buy food. When diesel goes up, of course everything will go up because the trucks bring fruit, vegetables and everything.”

He also admits that the president made a miscalculation with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. “But what can we do until there is some control over the situation in Middle East? “This will continue,” he says.

The retiree said he still believes in the tycoon. “I don’t agree with some things he says or does, but above all I prefer him to the Democrats. I don’t believe in abortion, I don’t believe that if a child is born a man or a woman, they want to change their sex. The Democrats want to increase the taxes constantly and that affects people like me.”

On another side of the city known as “the automobile capital of the world,” plant employees Factory Zeroof General Motorswhich makes electric vehicles like the Hummer, Silverado Sierra, and Cadillac, rush out after at least 8 hours of work. one of them is Chris Violathird generation of auto workers in Detroit.

Viola, who is a member of the automotive union Local 22describe a Clarion an uncertain outlook for what were once thriving companies that today are impacted by some of Trump’s policies. On the one hand, the duty that hit the sector and on the other hand the removal of subsidies from consumers of electric cars, an area that was developed in Democratic times.

“For two years I would say that the factory is worse. Before we earned about two and a half times what we earn now. We have had a change since 2024 and there is less overtime. So yes, we are definitely feeling the effects of politics and world economy in general,” says Viola.

Regarding tariffs, he said that “some specific ones may work. But Trump’s general method of tariffing automobile industry It has been a disaster for us. It has been very negative regarding our relationship with Canadawhich is just on the other side of the bridge. I have friends there and they feel hostility from the US. And, like them, companies also feel it. So our fights between Canada and the US have not been helpful, they have been terrible.”

A lot of people here in Michigan voted for Donald Trump two years ago. What is heard now among the auto workers?

“No doubt the president has many supporters in the automobile industry and in Michigan. But people are seeing the prices of things go up. And the gasoline prices they are astronomical compared to 2024 or 2025. So people in general are unhappy. “Some people are happy, but I would say that, in general, I think the majority are unhappy,” he risks.

The feeling in Michigan is similar to the rest of the United States. Just days before the November 3 elections, Americans go to the polls in a climate of pessimism, political frustration and economic concern. According to a survey of AP-NORC published on October 15eight out of ten voters demand substantial changes or a complete transformation of the way the country is governed, while barely 10% declare themselves optimistic about the political situation.

The economy (85% of voters) and the cost of living (84%) are of most concern. The discomfort is also reflected in the consumer confidencewhose index fell in October to 48 pointsthe second lowest level in its history.

In this scenario, the Democratic candidates, in Michigan and throughout the United States, seek to take advantage to regain control of the Congress and add governorswhile the Republicans struggle to regain the enthusiasm that seems beaten.