ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The ongoing government shutdown has left many Americans worried about the future of their food assistance benefits. If the shutdown continues, there won’t be money left for these benefits, causing concern among those who rely on them.
Chief Investigative Reporter Berkeley Brean visited the Dimitri Food Cupboard on Union Street in Rochester. He saw people preparing for the potential loss of food stamps, empty shelves, and constant phone calls.
Laurie Prizel, Executive Director of Dimitri House, said, “Tuna and peanut butter. We’re out of tuna and peanut butter.”
Prizel explained the demand has doubled this month, leaving them out of staples like potatoes and with a half-full freezer.
“People are already calling us in a panic about what we’re going to do next month,” Prizel said. “So I’m not sure how we’re going to survive the demand that’s going to come.”
Prizel said, “I tell them, at this point, what we’re going to do is the best we can.”
In Monroe County, about 100,000 people receive SNAP benefits, while 9,000 do in Ontario County. During Berk’s visit a woman named Christine, who relies on SNAP for her family of six, expressed her concerns.
“It’s scary,” Christine said.
Prizel: “What are you feeling right now?”
Christine: And like I said before we started talking, the anxiety is…”
Prizel: “Over the roof?”
Christine: “Yeah.”
Christine plans to continue visiting the food cupboard until supplies run out. “The food part, yeah,” she said when asked about her biggest worry. “There is six of us. Holidays coming up and I’m like, ‘Ooh, perfect timing for this.'”
Prizel said there are about three dozen food pantries in the Rochester area and advises people to plan on visiting multiple pantries. She can provide enough food for three days. The best way to find a food pantry is by calling 211.
For those looking to help, Ontario County officials said donating money is the most effective way, as pantries can purchase three to five times more food at wholesale prices.
Resources
Foodlink is hosting pop-up pantries, and several of them are this week. Click here to find one near you.
For those who can help, Foodlink is teaming up for the “Check Out Hunger” campaign. Donations can be made at checkout, and Foodlink can provide three meals for every dollar donated.
The People’s Pantry, Saint Andrew’s Good Cupboard, and Trillium Health Food Pantry are located in Rochester. In Ontario County, the Canandaigua Salvation Army is available, and the Finger Lakes Action Pantry serves Wayne County.
‘It’s scary’: Local families worry about food assistance as government shutdown continues WHEC.com.
Hence then, the article about it s scary local families worry about food assistance as government shutdown continues was published today ( ) and is available on News10NBC ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( ‘It’s scary’: Local families worry about food assistance as government shutdown continues )
Also on site :