ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 With the pause in SNAP benefits, delayed pay for some federal workers, and rising grocery prices, food pantries across Central Florida say demand for donations is surging.<\/p>\n
For people who work during the day, however, finding time to attend a food drive can be difficult. That\u2019s why the North Orlando Seventh-day Adventist Church is offering a nighttime food distribution, helping families who can\u2019t make it to traditional daytime events.<\/p>\n
\u201cI work in the daytime, so it\u2019s perfect,\u201d said Shanoi Reid, a mother of two who stopped by after getting off work. \u201cI just got off at 5:30 p.m. and came right on over.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reid said her family relies on food assistance after temporarily losing SNAP benefits. <\/p>\n
\u201cI normally get them, but right now I\u2019m not,\u201d she said. \u201cThis was a good resource for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Others waiting in line shared similar struggles of working full-time jobs but still not qualifying for government aid. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey said I make too much at $18.50 an hour,\u201d one mother of six said. \u201cI work, but I don\u2019t make enough to afford everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pastor Gregory Carol said the evening distribution is designed for convenience, allowing families to stay in their vehicles while volunteers load boxes of food. <\/p>\n
\u201cFood insecurity hits everybody,\u201d he said. \u201cNot just the unemployed. There are a lot of people who have their regular jobs and still need help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Organizers said they packed about 150 boxes of food but ran out halfway through the event, forcing them to prepare more to meet demand.<\/p>\n
Director of Community Services Cheryl-Ann Duncan said the church chose Wednesday evenings specifically because most nearby food pantries operate only in the mornings. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe were very strategic,\u201d she said. \u201cWe looked at all the other pantries in the area. Most of them were mornings, so we wanted to fill that gap.\u201d<\/p>\n
By the end of the night, volunteers said more than 200 vehicles passed through the drive-thru line.<\/p>\n
Organizers said if SNAP benefits remain paused and grocery costs continue to rise, they expect to see even more people in need at their next evening food drive.<\/p>\n
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