Food Banks Still Seeing Surge Even After SNAP Benefits Were Restored
“Although SNAP benefits returned for millions of Americans after the federal government shutdown ended earlier this month, food banks and pantries across the U.S. are still seeing droves of people showing up to receive aid.
Nearly 42 million Americans, including low-income families and vulnerable households, rely on SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to help pay for groceries or other household essentials.
Despite many states saying that benefits would be available immediately following the disruption, workers at food distribution sites are seeing a surge of people — a trend they say is likely to continue into the holidays.
Jerome Nathaniel, director of policy & government relations at City Harvest — a food rescue organization based in New York City — told ABC News that the group is still seeing a higher number of visits than in months past, a general trend that has continued since COVID.
He said City Harvest is on pace to distribute 1 million more pounds of food to their pantries this November compared to last November.
“Those number of pounds we distribute are responsive to the needs of our pantries,” Nathaniel told ABC News. “So, our pantries were saying they need more food or they’re running out of food quicker than we send more food.”
Read more at ABC News.