AT A JACKSON STORE, HIGH PRICES SHOW WHY MISSISSIPPI US SENATE RACE IS SO CLOSE

Maria Lopez sees the customers at the Mississippi grocery store ​she manages struggle to afford the basics. It's not much easier for her: she keeps the heater off in her ‌car to save gas and even buying milk at her own store can be hard.

"Instead of getting a big gallon, we'll do half a gallon," Lopez, a 42-year-old whose store is in Jackson, said, adding that she is also struggling to afford health insurance and prescriptions. "It's just me and my daughter... I don't know how other families are making it ​happen that don't have food stamps."

Learn More