With SNAP benefits expected to pause, concerns grow for food resources
JACKSON, Tenn. — More than 690,000 Tennesseans rely on SNAP for nutrition assistance. In the midst of the continuing government shutdown, families are left worried about how they will feed their loved ones and are turning to local food banks.
On November 1, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is set to abruptly stop.
“We’re seeing a lot more people for lunch and a lot more people asking for food assistance,” said Lisa Chesney, Director of The Salvation Army of Dyer County. “We feed 275 to 300 people a day, Monday through Thursday.”
Food pantries are doing what they can to serve the community, but the increase in demand has left many worried about funding.
Senator Marsha Blackburn is one of many state senators that has partnered to fund SNAP during the shutdown with the Keep SNAP Funded Act.
While legislators work towards solutions, local food banks are running low on resources.
“What we have is much less than what we need to give out to people. We desperately need canned foods, boxed food, shelf-stabled milk,” Chesney said.
We also spoke with Alyse McMinn, the Director of the Carroll County Carl Perkins Center, who encourages residents to donate to their local nonprofits, so they can continue to serve the community.
“If they’re in the shoes of a working mom that just is having, you know, struggling to put extra food on their table for their kids,” McMinn said. “And we have Thanksgiving and we have Christmas coming up, and those kids deserve to have–they deserve to have a meal.”
Now more than ever, donations are needed to keep shelves stocked before supplies run out.
SEE ALSO:
For more local news, click here.
