High demand, low supply: Groups work to keep West Tennesseans fed amid SNAP uncertainty

JACKSON, Tenn. — SNAP benefits could resume soon, but the delay has significantly impacted local food banks who have been helping to meet the need.

Following the ruling of Rhode Island Judge Jack McConnell and Boston Judge Indira Talwani last Friday, the Trump administration is looking for ways to federally fund the SNAP program.

According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, SNAP food benefits could restart as early as Wednesday.

But the delay has already caused a hit in resources to local food banks.

“They were already running lean anyway,” said Chonnie Richey, expert on food insecurity. “But unfortunately, the more that you increase the need, but the pantries are bare. Nonprofits and even food banks are really bare.”

Richey says there’s been a big increase in families turning to local food banks, and not only are families struggling, food banks are as well.

“What we’re seeing then are food banks, they’re struggling. I mean, they were struggling anyway, and they were struggling earlier this year,” Richey said.

Richey said although food pantries’ resources have taken a hit, staff and volunteers are showing resilience.

We spoke with Dr. Jessica Clements with All Things Family, Destiny Church of Jackson, who tells us more on the increase locally.

“We normally have 400 to 500, but today, we had people starting to line up at like 7:30,” Clements said.

Clements said by 10 a.m., they saw about 350 to 400 people, which is double compared to previous months.

“So, we do plan to have plenty and enough for every family,” Clements said. “So, we have plenty of canned goods, plenty of produce, plenty of produce that’s available to everyone.”

“We understand that people are in desperate need. We are in holiday season. It’s Thanksgiving. People are like, how are they going to get food on their tables, but we are here and many people are here in order to help you,” Clements added.

Although local communities are working to keep everyone fed, it is a temporary solution.

“We just don’t have enough money in there to basically give them that alley that they’re going to need without the additional continuous funding from the federal government,” said Richey.

Both judges said the administration has the option to use $5 million in discretionary funds to provide SNAP benefits in full for November.

The Trump administration is expected to provide an update Monday as to how much in SNAP benefits the administration will pay and if individuals will receive all of their amount or partial. Stay with us on-air and online as we continue to provide you updates.

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