Program — commonly called SNAP — beginning Saturday. That has food banks across the region bracing for an onslaught of clients.
The Bedford Food Pantry is expecting to see an increase in those seeking aid, co-manager Suzanne Bowser said, considering that the cuts are being made just as cold weather hits and Thanksgiving quickly approaches.
“People were already starting to panic,” Bowser said.
After the Bedford Food Pantry’s last distribution on Oct. 17, Bowser received 30 more signups. Some of those numbers are due to residents losing SNAP benefits, while others are accounting for Thanksgiving food expenses, she said.
Once people realize no funds have been put onto their EBT SNAP card, she expects many pantries and food banks will be busy manning the phones as people seek options for food.
Bowser said she received 14 phone calls in the span of five hours one morning.
In an effort to get ahead of the rush, the food bank is ordering “100 of everything,” like boxes of spaghetti, she said. If they can’t get those items, they’ll use substitutes such as macaroni or egg noodles.
The Altoona Food Bank is also feeling the effects of the cuts, coupled with the holidays.
On Wednesday, four volunteers packed canned goods, milk and eggs inside plastic bags and cardboard boxes for clients, while four extra hands distributed goods and helped those receiving food carry the items to their vehicles.
By noon, longtime volunteer Debbie Peterman said they had already served more than 40 families that day.
That “doesn’t mean 40 individuals,” she said, because there are multiple people in a family.
While packing up orders, volunteer Nancy Weichel said during this time of year, the food bank does “get busy, but not like this.”
Over the mountain, the evening meal attendance at the Salvation Army branch in Johnstown has also “picked up tremendously,” going from 40 to 50 to 55 to 65 people per night, according to volunteer Kathy Waddell.
“We try to help everyone we can,” she said.
Funding outreach efforts
The Bedford Food Pantry recently switched from being an independent food bank to working under the Center for Community Action. The switch allows them to receive government funding.
As the biggest food bank in Bedford County, the change will allow them to add 60 new families to the 240 families already being served.
However, they have yet to receive state funding.
Grant money has already been approved for the Salvation Army branch in Johnstown, Commanding Officer Don Sanderson said. But the next round of grants are in “doubt” because of the federal shutdown.
Most of their food also comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but “if they run out of food, it will become very difficult” for the Johnstown branch to supply clients. In that scenario, the organization will need to seek additional funding, he said.
First Baptist Church of Altoona hosts its own Reaping Food Bank, which relies on support and donations from faith-based groups and individuals.
While lead Pastor Tyler Pepper said he hasn’t seen a big change lately in the number of people using the food bank, he has seen an uptick in families attending the food bank over the last six months.
“I don’t know if it has increased more, but it is increasing,” he said.
Helping hands
Despite growing concerns, Bowser said the Bedford Food Pantry plans to provide “what we always do” during the Thanksgiving season, such as turkeys and side dishes.
“If we don’t run out, we should be able to give the people Thanksgiving dinner,” she said.
Sanderson said that the Salvation Army branch in Johnstown is going to “continue to provide for the community” through their many programs.
“You can see with our numbers, we serve good meals,” Waddell added.
Reaping Food Bank will continue to help those in need, Pepper said, noting “it’s hard to listen to Jesus when your stomach is growling.”
After a busy day at the Altoona Food Bank, volunteers such as Marian Dietz remember why they give back.
“I love it, the way we can help the community,” Dietz said. “That’s what makes it so special.”
Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.
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