Sonora, CA — With a pause in federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding due to the government shutdown, more people are arriving at Mother Lode Food Banks this week.
Central Sierra Broadcasting checked in with some of the larger food banks this morning to learn about how things are faring.
Diane Bennett recently stepped in as the new Executive Director of the Interfaith Social Services in Tuolumne County. Its food bank on Striker Court in Sonora opens each Tuesday.
Bennett says, “Yesterday was probably the highest day we’ve had in the history of Interfaith. Yesterday alone was 11% of what we served in the entire month of October, which was one of our highest months ever. If we keep on going at this rate, we will need help for food, especially proteins.”
Breaking down the numbers, Bennett says Interfaith served 69 households on Tuesday, totaling 147 individuals.
She says, “I keep reworking these numbers and telling myself that they can’t be this high, but they really were.”
Throughout October, Interfaith served 632 households, equaling 1,338 individuals.
Nancy Scott, founder of Nancy’s Hope in Sonora, is seeing a similar spike in demand.
Scott says, “This week we have been seeing about 5-8 new clients per day, who have never been to our food pantries.”
At its two pantries, Nancy’s Hope typically serves anywhere from 1,000 to 1,200 individuals each month. She says, “I’m sure this month will be a lot different. We were already seeing a trend of more, each year, with different people needing help. They range from elderly people, to single parents, and others who are struggling.”
Scott has been very pleased to see several in the community step up to help meet the new demand in recent days, by donating food, and she hopes it continues over the coming weeks.
Scott adds, “I hope to see the community stay stronger, together, and bringing more food to each pantry. There are 13 pantries (spread throughout Tuolumne County), and we’re all getting new clients, each and every day.”
The Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA) Food Bank is also a cornerstone in the community and seeing an increased demand. We reported yesterday that the Sonora Area Foundation will match up to $50,000 in community donations for people interested in donating to the ATCAA Food Bank.
The Jamestown Family Resource Center, and many local churches, also provide food banks, and can use extra support.
On a related note, the annual Central Sierra Broadcasting Cash Drive for Interfaith on the local radio waves (Star 92.7, 93.5 KKBN and KVML) will be on Friday, December 5, with the corresponding coat drive for Interfaith on December 6.
In the meantime, here is a link providing more information on how to help Interfaith.
More information about Nancy’s Hope can be found here.
Details about the Resource Connection Food Bank in Calaveras County can be found here.
