Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)-The Chattanooga Area Food Bank remains in emergency response mode as delayed SNAP benefits push more families across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia to local food pantries.
At Red Bank Community Food Pantry, the surge has been striking. Volunteers report a 52% increase in families visiting, many for the first time. Heather Hammond, a worker with the pantry, says the increase is closely tied to SNAP delays and uncertainty.
“Our numbers jumped,” Hammond said. “A lot of it had to do with SNAP. Quite a few people who rely on SNAP came because their benefits hadn’t arrived at the beginning of the month. But I also think fears are driving it. Prices are high, and people are worried there won’t be enough. We always have higher numbers this time of year, but this is different.”
Hammond adds that the ongoing SNAP benefit process has left families uncertain about the future. “I think there will be a lot of residual impact. People aren’t sure they can depend on SNAP anymore. If I were a mom on SNAP with a family to feed, and I hadn’t gone to food pantries before, I’d probably start now just to stock my cabinets in case this happens again.”
