COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Thousands of Branch County residents faced potential hardship as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were paused due to a federal government shutdown.
This halt, effective as of Saturday, impacts 5,655 individuals in the county who received SNAP benefits in September, causing concern among those worried about feeding their families.
The Branch Area Food Pantry anticipates a surge in demand, and manager Patty Daoud says increased calls from anxious clients, including mothers concerned about obtaining essential items like diapers and formula .
The pantry, which already served over 1,000 people monthly, saw weekly new sign-ups increase leading up to the SNAP cut announcement last week. While Daoud expressed confidence in community support, she says that families might receive smaller food distributions to accommodate the rising need .
To address the shortfall, local businesses, churches, Meijer, and Walmart have provided support through donations and food rescue initiatives .
Daoud asking community members to donate non perishable food to help to supplement pantry stocks, which are also replenished by purchases from the Southwest Michigan Food Bank costing $8,000 to $9,000 monthly.
The pantry also accepts meat donations from hunters as it prepares for both immediate needs and annual holiday food box distributions.
For more information on how you can help you can call the Branch area food pantry at (517)279-0966.
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