900,000 households to lose additional food stamp benefits statewide Wednesday
Starting today, food pantries in North Carolina are preparing for an increase of people needing their help.
A benefit that has been helping to put food on the table for hundreds of thousands of people ends today.
About 900,000 households across North Carolina will lose out on additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits when they end on March 1.
Since 2020, many families have been receiving extra SNAP food benefits. Today, they'll be receiving less money in their accounts for groceries — during a time when grocery prices have increased.
Families enrolled in the federal food assistance program will see a drop of at least $95 per month.
This is part of the additional money families received during the pandemic.
Some could see an even bigger drop. The average benefit per person per day will drop from $8.12 to $5.45. That means, for example, a family of four will go from receiving more than $970 a month to about $650. That's a $320 difference.
"The government offered help, and we were so grateful that that was there, that we didn't have to worry as much or struggle as much," said Lori Powell, a SNAP recipient. "I'm not a person that likes to ask for her, but right now, I'm humbled."
Starting Wednesday, places like Interfaith Food Shuttle are expecting to see more people who are looking for other ways to get food.
Barbara Morales-Burke with Interfaith Food Shuttle said they’ve already seen an increase in the need for food. She said they don’t know how much more will be needed, but they are ready to meet the demand.
At the emergency food pantry in Fuquay-Varina, volunteers pack food for those in need.
"I hear stories of 'times are really tough,' 'bad diagnosis' or 'things aren't going right,'" said Peggy Day, director of operations at the Fuquay-Varina Food Pantry. "I just hear stories of everyday people, just like you and me."
It’s important to note that families will still receive SNAP benefits based on their income, but they will not get the additional money that was provided throughout the pandemic.
