Henrico food pantry seeking help to keep everyone fed during SNAP uncertainty
VENN
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A freeze on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments (SNAP) is set to take effect, impacting more than 800,000 Virginians and placing pressure on food pantries.
SNAP benefits were supposed to be reloaded starting Saturday, Nov. 1, but the impact of the looming funding lapse is already taking a toll, as Commonwealth Catholic Charities tries to keep people fed through a pantry in Henrico's West End.
The group is seeking community contributions to help with the entirety of November and December, not just around the holiday season.
Keeping around 250 people fed every month, the Dibert Food Pantry near Forest Avenue is stocked with produce and non-perishables, but only with the help of Feed More, donations and grants.
"I anticipate — maybe by Thanksgiving or maybe even a little sooner — we might not have enough food unless we get the donors," said CCC Director of Community Support Services Dr. Danah Kaigler.
Kaigler says a growing demand is likely coming where some food pantries -- like at CCC -- push to inform SNAP families about their benefits while uncertainty hangs on.
Dr. Kaigler says the food they have at the moment is not enough, especially since the weather is getting colder.
"We have people that are expecting things to be reloaded as soon as tomorrow, and that's not going to happen for them," Dr. Kaigler said.
That's why Dr. Kaigler is encouraging Richmonders to support their hungry neighbors. They can do so by considering donating financially or dropping off food at the CCC office.
"We are really just wanting to make sure people stay healthy and nourished because we also understand that physical health affects your mental health," Dr. Kaigler said.
A chance to see an end to the funding uncertainty may come next week. Two federal judges are ordering President Trump and his administration to step up, ruling that it must fund SNAP at least partially and have an update no later than Monday.
