Local food pantries bracing for hundreds of families, supply shortages amid SNAP deadline and holiday season

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Local food pantries are having to increase their supply and meet what they anticipate will be triple the demand for groceries in the coming months.

This comes as families brace for the suspension of SNAP benefits on November 1, followed by the holiday season.

Many Oklahomans lean on neighborhood food pantries to help get dinner on the table, but as SNAP benefits come to an end, the pressure on those giving groceries to the state's most vulnerable continues to rise.

"We're still getting food from the Regional Food Bank, but there is a shortage," said Pastor Thaddeus Black from the Tulakes Community Church Food Pantry.

The Tulakes Community Church Food Pantry is open for business twice on Wednesdays from 10:00a.m to 2:00p.m and 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. They're located at 7202 Lyrewood Lane.

Pastor Black said some of the items they need most include meat, peanut butter, flour, rice, and grains.

With those ingredients, families can provide filling meals and stretch them throughout the week.

The Urban Mission is also rising to meet the demand for those in need.

"We set a limit for ourselves, a capacity of 250 households a day," said German Garcia, Executive Director of The Urban Mission.

That limit remains in place so they can serve as many families as possible without running out of food supply so quickly.

The Urban Mission is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00a.m to 11:30 a.m. They're located at 3737 North Portland Avenue.

Some of the ingredients they run low on include rice, pasta, beans, and soup.

So far this week, they've seen an influx of people as soon as they open.

"Our parking lot actually opens at 7:30 in the morning, and probably within 10 minutes, it was full," Garcia said.

Pastor Black told News 4 they were at capacity with families lining up outside of the building on Wednesday, and anticipate more next week.

"I'm believing and trusting that individuals' hearts will be touched to come alongside us and help us in this time of need," Pastor Black said.

Garcia said the best way to help your local food pantry is to check in and see what their biggest needs are.

You can check the Regional Food Bank website, enter your zip code, and find the nearest center in your area.

Monetary donations are also appreciated.

"I think a lot of food pantries are really good at utilizing the resources to the best of their abilities. And so what might be $10 for you in food might be worth a lot more for $10 for a food pantry," Garcia added.

You can go in person and give donations to any food banks in your area, or give them a call to discuss monetary offerings.