"In the parking lot at the San Jose Flea Market on Monday morning where Hunger at Home feeds the needy, the line of cars waiting for boxes of food increased 40% to nearly 250 - a need they haven't seen since the COVID-19 pandemic. The line stretched so long that it doubled back, and volunteers needed an extra hour to load every car. They also needed to dip into the freezer to hand out food meant for next week's distribution."
"Demand for free food is soaring at Bay Area food pantries as recipients of the embattled federal food stamps program are seeing their accounts frozen and worry they won't be able to feed their families. Charity programs that distribute food, meanwhile, are scrambling for more donations to restock their shelves. Ever since Congress shut down the federal government over a spending bill stalemate, payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) used mostly at grocery stores have been in jeopardy."
Bay Area food pantries are experiencing a sharp rise in demand as SNAP payments were frozen amid a federal government shutdown, leaving many recipients unable to replenish benefits. Hunger at Home saw car lines jump 40% to nearly 250, requiring volunteers to work extra hours and distribute food intended for future distributions. Charities are tapping freezers and urgently seeking donations to restock shelves. A federal judge ordered funding for SNAP, and the administration said it would use an emergency fund, but a remaining shortfall could halve benefits and timing for releases remains uncertain. Individuals report immediate risk of hunger.
Read at The Mercury News
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