Local nonprofits across our region have been receiving an outpouring of support from the community as they prepare to help those who would be hit hardest by cuts to SNAP.
“Things have been coming in fast and furious,” says Christie Gera, Board President of Quakertown Food Pantry.
At the Quakertown Food Pantry in Bucks County, donations have been pouring in to support the volunteers’ weekly distributions.
Over the past two days, they’ve received more than 1,000 pounds of food.
“Everybody’s united about this,” says Gera.
Board president Christie Gera put out a call on Facebook asking for help. This coming after hearing concerns from the community about the potential loss of SNAP benefits this weekend.
The pantry serves around 2,000 people a month.
“We expect it to really increase even more especially with the loss of SNAP, that’s a really devastating blow,” says Gera.
Despite the expected increase, the pantry is prepared, and they’re grateful to have the community behind them.
“It’s just been really nice to see something positive out of something negative,” says Gera.
Meanwhile at the Emmaus Public Library, people are also stepping up to help.
This week, librarian Christine Wieder decided to open up a “Share Shelf” for those in need.
“I had a little bit of extra money for my programming budget for this year, so I ordered some supplies, some bins, some food and such to get started,” says Wieder.
The shelf has everything, from snacks to sanitary products for anyone to take free of charge, no questions asked.
“It’s for anybody, doesn’t have to be Emmaus residents, anybody who needs it can come in, take what they need no library card required, they can just come in, grab it,” says Wieder.
More info on the organizations: Emmaus Public Library, Quakertown Food Pantry