OVIEDO, Fla. — When the government shut down late last year during the holiday season, millions of families relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — also known as SNAP benefits — had to find other ways to get food on their tables.

What You Need To Know

HOPE Helps has a food pantry and other food assistance programs based out of Oviedo

The group received a $25,000 grant from the Oviedo Medical Center 

HOPE leaders say the money will be used to buy food and keep the shelves and fridges stocked

About 200 people visit HOPE Help’s food pantry each week

Tammy Esser, a volunteer at HOPE Helps in Oviedo, says November and December were busy. The food pantry, located at 812 Eyrie Drive, is open four days a week. However, Esser says Saturdays are becoming busier.

“Our clients have to judge when they can get a ride as well as some of them do have some kind of part-time job or children,” said Esser. “So we’re getting more and more on a Saturday.”

Not only do families stop by and receive the food, but volunteers deliver it too through HOPE’s Emergency Network Service (HENS).

“Because of health or transportation, they no longer can get here,” said Esser. “So a nice group of food — canned goods, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables — are put together and delivered to their home.”

As the demand grows, leaders with HOPE Helps say they’re serving about 200 households a week. They received a $25,000 grant from the Oviedo Medical Center, donated through HCA Healthcare’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund.

“[HOPE] is an amazing organization in this town that really does help people,” said Oviedo Medical Center spokesperson Cathy Perry. “And that just aligns with our mission, which is to help improve lives, whether that’s in the hospital or in the community.”

Joan Faulkner, the CEO of HOPE Helps, says the grant will go directly towards helping feed anyone in Seminole County who knocks on their door.

“The timing of that grant coming in was a true game changer for us because we were able to better serve the families that were in need,” said Faulkner.

The money is a financial relief after wrapping up the holiday season, when Faulkner says they saw an increase in clients.

“People tend to donate during the months of November and December as well, but this need is year-round,” explained Faulkner. “So, going into January, it’s no different for us. We’re still serving 200 households a week or more, and these families need that more than ever.”

The food pantry accepts donations Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.