LONG BEACH, Miss. (WLOX) – If you walk into the Long Beach community food pantry, you’ll see that it’s almost empty. Volunteers say community needs have grown since the government shut down.
Volunteer Mark Collins said the pantry has been working overtime and that low-income families are worried that they won’t get SNAP benefits if the shutdown extends into the month of November.
SNAP Benefits, also known as food stamps, are funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, and they help millions of people pay for groceries every month.
November 1 is supposed to mark the next cycle of payments.
“Without the SNAP benefits, it’s going to be a matter of how can they get the food that they need to feed their families, so the food pantry fills that void,” Collins said.
The pantry is running low on fruits, canned goods, and many other items.
Collins said the shortage of goods has them calling for donations.
“Shelves are getting very bare. Fortunately, we have enough money that we can purchase what we can get from the other distribution points,” he said.
Pass Christian resident Willie Nelson is 69 years old, raising two grandchildren on a fixed income.
He said an extended shutdown would make it hard for him to put food on the table.
“It’ll be a lot worse for me because I won’t be able to supply the food and nourishment for my babies,” Nelson said.
Pantry manager Ray Chavaree said he’s prepared for larger crowds if snap benefits run out, but he isn’t worried.
“It gives me a great deal of hope that we have for these individuals. But we can assist them with food supplement, perhaps it would be the game changer in their lives,” Chavaree said.
Collins said he hopes Congress comes up with a spending bill that could fund the benefits.
“They’ve got to realize that there’s people out there that depend on programs such as SNAP to be able to supplement what they’re able to earn,” he said. “It really isn’t coming upon help from others to help them get what they need.”
The Long Beach Food Pantry is asking community members to donate if possible to help in this time of need.
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