From Sue’s Desk
This month some 75,000 DuPage County residents who receive SNAP benefits are facing a big hit to their food budgets as emergency supplements end. A family of four could lose $85 per week or $340 each month. Seniors who receive the minimum benefit could see their payments fall to as little as $23 a month. And it’s happening at a time when food costs are at an all-time high.
We currently serve nearly four times the number of households than in 2021 and our food costs have risen approximately 25% in that period. Our concern is that the SNAP reduction will result in a flood of new families seeking our help. Other states that have already experienced benefit cuts are seeing an uptick in demand of 20-25%.
We are meeting this crisis with resolve, respect, and innovation. Our Operations team continues to source nutritious food by leveraging our network of providers, and we are responding to increased demand by offering more access to shopping both at the Pantry Store and online through the Virtual Food Pantry. The Support Services team is helping families find additional resources to make ends meet, along with counseling, meal planning, financial literacy, and job readiness education.
Help us spread the word about what WSCP is doing to help the community. If you would like to get more involved in the fight against hunger, please feel free to reach out to me to learn more.
Thank you!
To read our full March 2023 Newsletter, click here