End of SNAP benefits; food bank prepares for increased demand | local news

SNAP Emergency Dues are additional payments that have been distributed to SNAP recipients during the second half of each month during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to federal law, February will be the last month to ship EAs, and starting in March, SNAP recipients will only receive a regular SNAP payment.

“We expect to see an increase in the influx of customers to the food pantries. Fortunately, we have the assets available to meet this demand,” said David Bork, food bank project manager for the Fayette County Community Action Agency Food Bank. “With SNAP benefits decreasing, it will hit these people because they will have to withdraw funds from other resources to cover (food expenses).”

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, 1.88 million Pennsylvanians are on SNAP, including 667,153 children and 353,149 older adults.

Acting DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh said: “We know that this additional SNAP payment has been a lifeline for people over the last three years and that continued economic uncertainty and high food prices are contributing to food insecurity in many Pennsylvanians.

“There is help available for you and your family through Pennsylvania’s heroic charitable partners. I urge everyone who can to donate food or resources, now is the time to help your local food assistance programs as they prepare to meet this potential additional need.”

In addition, families receiving SNAP and Social Security benefits will see a decrease in their SNAP benefits due to the significant cost of living increase on Social Security benefits that went into effect on January 1.

The FCCAA Food Bank operates 59 pantries across the county. In December, the food bank served around 1,900 households, around 3,500 customers.

Bork said “the need still exists” and welcomed monetary donations that allow the food bank to maximize wholesale purchases.

SNAP EA benefits started in April 2020 when the pandemic hit.

Overall, the average family in the state earned an additional $180 a month.

Washington Salvation Army Captain Amber Imhoff predicts more people will turn to the nonprofit for help.

The Salvation Army organizes a free monthly distribution of products to up to 720 families and operates a Love in a Backpack food program for 419 school-age children in 11 area schools.

Imhoff said the organization’s biggest need is non-perishable food donations.

“With the rising cost of groceries, many people on SNAP have a fixed income, and unfortunately, that income does not increase to meet the rising cost of food. What we paid for a dozen eggs last year is not what we are paying now, and that is a challenge,” said Imhoff.

The Salvation Army has received fewer food donations in recent months, but said the organization is continuing to do what it can to address food insecurity in the region.

“I think we will see a ripple effect, with (EA’s instant payment) eliminated, with families no longer qualifying for free lunches, it will be interesting to see in the coming months what this will do to the number of people (who need assistance) and what people choose to eat too,” said Imhoff. “Meat, milk, bread, eggs are costing people more, so unfortunately when these things increase, people buy cheaper foods that affect their health.”

George Omiros, CEO of the Greater Washington County Food Bank, said people relying on the additional SNAP payment “will have to look to other available resources,” including the food bank.

SNAP recipients may call the state Customer Service Center at 877-395-8930 or GWCFB at 724-632-2190, ext. 122, for information or assistance from SNAP.

The GWCFB operates 13 community outreach distribution sites in Washington County. It also provides the PA Senior Food Box Program, which delivers boxes of nutritious food to low-income seniors over age 60 in Washington and Greene counties, and Outreach Boxes, which are delivered monthly to 1,600 families – quadrupling the number of families who received the boxes last year, said Omiros.

For information about the Senior Food Box program, call the food bank at 724-632-2190, ext. 107.