Hunter
03/29/22
Area food pantries expect a surge in clients after expanded benefits offered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, expire this Friday.
KCCI reports the SNAP benefits were increased by at least $95 a month when the coronavirus pandemic began to help address food insecurity. That was further bolstered last April when the USDA announced an additional expansion of benefits.
The state of Iowa ended its emergency proclamation for the pandemic in February, thus impacting federal money coming to the state for expanded SNAP benefits.
Michelle Book is the CEO of Food Bank of Iowa. She says that that will mean about $27 million less in federal money coming to Iowa effective April 1st.
Pantries report that they’re stocking up to make sure there’s enough food to meet the expected uptick in demand.