Guest Contributor - Pantry Coordinator, Donna

With everything in the news recently, I wanted to share how the pantry is working to mitigate the potential impact of the SNAP crisis. We are anticipating increased customer traffic to the Nov 3rd and subsequent pantries and we are taking proactive steps to meet this demand. If you speak with anyone, please assure them we are a well- managed pantry and we have plans in place to handle increased traffic. If they would like to help, please suggest a financial donation (see the donation link on the pantry’s website (trumansburgfoodpantry.com) or volunteering.

Please direct questions to trumansburgfoodpantry@gmail.com. The town is also printing a list of food assistance in the area. This will help if folks need additional resources.

For the Nov. 3 pantry, we ordered more product to cover an additional 30 customers (from 100 to 130) and, if needed, we’ll run to Sure Save mid pantry to purchase more if we anticipate running out. In the rare case that we are unable to provide food on the night of the pantry, we’ll work on providing a supplemental pickup – our goal is to not let anyone go hungry!

We’ll review the number of customers from the Nov. 3 pantry to provide insight into how we’ll handle the Nov. 17 pantry, realizing that is the “Thanksgiving” give away and we always draw a big crowd (last year we increased about 24 customers).

SNAP Benefits Interruption: If the SNAP is not funded for Nov., because of the federal government shutdown, then all recipients will need food and we will likely see an immediate increase until the program is funded. This will hopefully be a short-term increase until the shutdown is resolved or the funding is reinstated.

Permanent SNAP Benefit Changes: New work requirement will be instituted, but the effects will be felt in Feb/March. The CBO estimates 10% of all current SNAP beneficiaries will be dropped from the program. This will result in a sustained increase in volume.

Good Community News: Kinney just reached out and they are having a food collection drive that will benefit us. Also, Mary Ellen Salmon from Mutual Aid wants to set up a table on Nov. 3rd to find out what else is needed by our customers.