PORTLAND, (TENN) — A Sumner County food pantry is feeling the uncertainty surrounding food stamps. 

On Tuesday, President Trump announced SNAP benefits would only resume when the federal government ends their shutdown. Now, the pressure mounts on local food banks. 

Hands of Hope food pantry is feeling that pressure in Portland.

“Since the SNAP benefits were cut November 1st, we’ve had 30 new families come into the pantry,” said Julie Yant, Board Director for Hands of Hope. “As of right now, we have new families on their way here now, and we averaging about 80 families total per shopping day.”

“We’re draining the shelves as quickly as we can stock them,” she continued. 

Open just twice a week, the pantry is considering extending their operating hours to make sure people can get what they need. However, supplies are flying off the shelves, unlike they’ve seen before. 

"We have not been able to keep backstock because we are keeping the shelves full. Our volunteers are working more than overtime in order to make everything run smoothly,” said Yant. “Everybody is feeling the crunch, just like we are.” 

“We’ve seen more people, we’ve helped more people, and any donations that we can get would be appreciated, of course. We’re handing out as many things as we can,” added Samantha, who both volunteers and shops at Hands of Hope. “We’re busy just as much as we are in need.” 

Thankfully, the Portland community is stepping up. Yant said she’s been flooded with messages from people or organizations wanting to help however they can, which includes a local church that dropped off a $500 check to the pantry on Tuesday. 

“This year, we talked about it, we just felt like we needed to do something,” said Linda Smallwood with Fountain Head Baptist Church in Portland. “Before Thanksgiving, before the boxes they give out. With everything going on, I know everybody needs help. These places need help.” 

Hands of Hope operates as a grocery store and is staffed solely by volunteers. The group is rolling with the punches, but they admitted they haven’t seen a challenge like this since COVID.

“We just have to learn how to pivot,” said Yant. “We definitely think everything is a learning opportunity. Although we don’t like the things that are going on right now, they’re challenges that can be overcome and we will work together to find a solution.” 

Meanwhile, Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday that the state would allocate $5 million in new funding to local food banks. That money will reportedly be divided up based on how many people rely on SNAP benefits in that specific area, equating to about $7 for each person on SNAP in Tennessee. 

While everything helps, the Portland pantry told News 2 that is simply a band-aid; a drop in the bucket at a time when all food banks are being tested to their limits. 

If you’d like to donate to Hands of Hope, you can visit either their Facebook page or their website, and click the DONATE tab. 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/were-draining-the-shelves-portland-food-pantry-sees-increased-demand-amid-snap-uncertainty/