Local Food Pantries Increase Outreach During Government Shutdown

The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina is working closely with its partner agencies to let people know how to find help if needed. The move comes after the federal agency that offers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (SNAP), also known as food stamps, released the funds early. That's because there may not be enough money to keep the program going if the shutdown continues. 

And that concerns Second Harvest Food Bank's CEO Eric Aft.  He says overall, they're not seeing a massive influx of people right now, but they're preparing to help as many people as possible.

“They very well may run out of those benefits by mid-February, leaving a significant challenge for our pantry partners to make sure that we have the right food that's available for those who may have run out of those benefits earlier than normal.”

Aft encourages anyone who needs food assistance to contact the Second Harvest Food Bank at (336) 784-5770 or go to their website.

“We have a lot of low income people who don't make much and are living paycheck to paycheck,” he says. "We see this as an emergency, not only for federal workers and contract employees, but businesses and individuals who rely on the relationships with the government."

As for any potential impact the shutdown could have on federally funded programs at the Second Harvest Food Bank, Aft says there isn't an immediate concern. The organization receives around 8 to 10 percent of food from federal commodities. He says those items, which include canned vegetables, frozen fruit, and chicken, will be received through March.

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