The number of people getting their food from shelters and soup kitchens is on the rise across southwestern Connecticut and the nation.

A new study shows that since 2001, the number of Americans getting their food from shelters and soup kitchens has gone up by more than 1 million.

Maryann Furlong, director of the Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport, says last year the center fed about 200 people a day. Now it feeds breakfast and lunch to about 260 daily. Furlong believes the increase may be due to rising rent prices in the area.