As part of a series of investigative reports on the social crisis in Detroit, the World Socialist Web Site interviewed workers and professionals in the city about the worsening conditions as gas prices and food prices soar through the roof.  Brother Jerry Smith, director of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit spoke to the WSWS about the huge need for food in the city.

Part one of the accompanying report, "The spiraling cost of food," was published June 20, 2008; part two, "The impact of gas prices," followed on June 21; and part three, "Collapse of an American city," concluded the series on June 23.