Butler County food distribution sites trying to keep up
To see the impact of the stoppage in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, you can look at the lines wrapped around the parking lot at the Lernerville Speedway food distribution site.
Sandy Curry, director of nonprofit Community Partnership, said over 400 families — made up of 945 individuals — showed up to the distribution, more than they’ve seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was also clear at the Butler City Farmers’ Market, where a line of people stretched all the way down Shore Street to pick up food supplies.
The longer lines and increased reliance on food distributions come on the heels of the announcement SNAP benefits won’t be paid until the federal government shutdown ends and funds are released to the state.
“Based on what the folks here who are regular volunteers are saying, the lines here have definitely increased. It looks like we are seeing a strong uptick in all of our directives in past weeks,” Grant Young, a coordinator with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, said. “I think it has a lot to do with SNAP. End of October and into November are typically very busy times for the food bank, but with the government shutdown and SNAP benefit issues, a lot of people are feeling increased pressure.”
In total, about 42 million Americans receive SNAP, over 12% of the country’s population. In Butler County, about 15,000 residents receive SNAP benefits, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
In the lead up to residents not receiving their November SNAP payments, local meal providers have seen a noticeable increase in individuals depending on them.
“There are people here who I have not seen before. There are people here who have come here to pick stuff up for others. There’s more people here,” Curry said.
Last week, Butler Community Meal Ministries coordinators said they had seen a spike in attendance in recent weeks.
Young and several volunteers said other Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank distribution sites this week have also seen an increase in people.
“This is the most people I’ve ever seen. I’ve been helping out here for over three years.” Dan Pickle, a volunteer at the Lernerville distribution site, said. “We just got an email last week they’re thinking about changing the model, because they’re expecting they’re going to need more people to volunteer. Normally here, we’ll get somewhere over 200 families.”
Volunteers and residents relying on services like food distributions have expressed much concern as the holiday season approaches. With an ongoing state budget impasse and the federal government shut down due to Congress’ own stalemate, numerous programs people rely on are being affected and families face a financial crunch.
“Families are going to have to make decisions,” Curry said. “They are going to be impacted.
At the food distribution sites, individuals and families picking up food expressed anger and fear over what November could look like if the federal shutdown does not end soon.
“It means people are going to need a great deal of help. A lot of these people, they’re not going to have food they need to feed their kids and that is wrong,” Tracie Barone, a Butler resident, said. “These benefits should not be taken from us. We work hard. Our taxes go toward these.”
While Barone said the shutdown affects her — she doesn’t make much money and relies on SNAP benefits — she feels bad for those who are also supporting children or elderly parents.
“There’s people here who are struggling. Look at all the people in this line who have kids. You shouldn’t have to do this just to feed your kids,” Jonathan Smith, a DoorDash driver and Butler resident, said.
As SNAP benefits stop reaching families and put strain on their finances, the food distributors are also strained due to increased dependence on them. Young said the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is a large enough organization it should be able to continue supplying others for the time being.
The increase could cause pain to nonprofits trying to help though.
“When I talked to Greater Pitt, they said they’re a big enough organization they have enough money to keep going. Which is good, because a lot of these nonprofits, like us, have been affected. And the need is much greater, but what’s out to give is much less. And November looks scary,” Rhonda Dam, a volunteer with Community Partnership, said.
This is also something people are worried about, given the increased reliance.
“The food banks, I’m worried, how are they going to keep up with all of this? There’s people around here that have hardly any money for their bus pass or they don’t have a car, now you take away their food stamps. What are they going to do? This is all going to hurt a lot of people,” Andrea Gordon, a Butler resident, said.
The organizations have continued trying to supply residents with food, such as celery, onions, cherry tomatoes, plums, pears, milk, eggs and meat. Meanwhile, residents have show up to food distributions to pick up food for their neighbors, and those who don’t have a car or mode of transportation.
“People only get so much money as it is and they count on that,” Kaitlyn Stroup, a Butler resident, said. “I’m on disability, but I also work. I’m more worried about the kids. What are the kids going to do? The elderly? There’s so many disabled people that can’t work either.”
