Local food pantries brace for increased demand amid SNAP uncertainty

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Despite a judge's ruling that the federal government must continue to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amid the ongoing government shutdown, local food pantries are still preparing to serve more clients.

Friday was another busy day at the Mid-Ohio Market at St. Stephen's Community House. It came with more unknowns than usual, as there is no exact date for when SNAP recipients will receive their funds.

“That's why people are nervous. Because they don't know what they’re going to do. That's everybody's dilemma right now," said Antwan McCarrel. 

McCarrel is one of 1.4 million Ohioans, including more than 173,000 Franklin County residents, who are helped by the SNAP program.

As the government shutdown continues, pantries like the one at St. Stephen's have been doing what they can to assist more families. On an average market day, they serve 200 households. Marilyn Mehaffi, CEO of St. Stephen's, said on Wednesday alone they served 340 households, which was a high for the year.

“The need is increasing, people coming to use our pantry are increasing, and food costs are increasing," Mehaffi said.

With the expectation at the beginning of October 31 that November SNAP benefits would not be going out, the St. Stephen's team was getting ready to keep helping between 300 and 350 households a day. Even with the judge's ruling, SNAP must be funded, Mehaffi said. More clients will still be coming in because when and if the benefits do come out, she said, they'll likely be delayed.

"I think people are scared. They’ve come in saying they’re scared. They’re not sure about next week," she said. "And then for me, I think we’re afraid of staff burnout. This is a lot of people coming through our pantry on a regular basis.”

She encouraged anyone who can to support their local food pantries, whether by donating or volunteering.