SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Monday matches the longest the government has ever been shut down. Even though the Trump Administration is going to be partially paying for SNAP benefits this month, one non-profit organization has seen an increase in people walking into their doors.
28/22 News Reporter Connor Coar stopped by the Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center and explained what the increase signals to the organization.
The Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center in Scranton were very busy during the month of October.
Over 900 new families walked through the non-profit’s 14 food pantries in Lackawanna County.
When 28/22 News stopped by earlier Monday, the location on Pittston Avenue in Scranton had already served close to 200 families. That growing need is a concerning one for the organization.
“This can happen to anyone, and it can affect anyone. It’s our friends and our neighbors and the children that our kids sit next to in school that you just don’t even think about how much they might be struggling at home,” Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center President and CEO Meghan Loftus said.
The organization is also getting ready for its 49th Annual Family To Family Drive-Through Food Basket Giveaway, the day before Thanksgiving.
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Loftus tells 28/22 News that they will have 4,000 meals boxed up, but they are on a first-come, first-served basis.
“The point of the name ‘Family to Family’ is that, without preregistration, without any of those things. We aren’t using public funding. We aren’t using grant funding. It’s all based on individual donations. So it’s a $40 check from my family, gives a dinner to another family,” Loftus explained.
For Antonio Berardi, the need continues to increase. At the start of October, they served almost 5,000 families. As of today, that number has increased to nearly 6,500.
“Times are tough. Groceries are expensive. Everyone needs relief. Everyone needs help, and that’s what we are here for,” Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center Senior Manager Antonio Berardi told 28/22 News.
With the Trump Administration announcing Monday that they will partially pay for SNAP benefits, that will only last a short amount of time.
Berardi says that every donation helps, no matter the size.
“Building relationships with the community and the public. Trying to let them know that right now is the most important time that you can get involved. Whether it’d a can of soup of a dollar, every little bit helps. No donation is too small. No donation is too big,” Berardi continued.
You can donate to the Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center online.
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