Changes to a federal food assistance program will be implemented in November. Local food banks expect that more people will need their services in the coming weeks.
Upcoming changes to how the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, works may leave the 1.4 million Georgians who receive these benefits hungry next month.
Madison Sanders, the Executive Director of Family Promise Athens, says they are already getting ready for these possible cuts.
“We’re really just kind of preparing for that, especially since it’s already the end of October, meaning that people who have SNAP benefits now don’t necessarily have the time or the benefits left over to save for next month," Sanders said.
Depending on how long the government shutdown continues, these benefits could stop altogether.
Family Promise Athens is asking for donations of grocery store gift cards. Sanders says the gift cards will help families with emergent needs.
They are accepting gifts through mail, online and in-person. For more information, visit their website at familypromiseathens.org.
