Food banks in Anchorage are preparing for a significant increase in demand as SNAP funding remains in flux, with some facilities already seeing new faces among their clients.
ANCHORAGE , Alaska - Food banks in Anchorage are preparing for a significant increase in demand as SNAP funding remains in flux, with some facilities already seeing new faces among their clients. Lutheran Social Services food bank, which serves over 3,000 people monthly, is experiencing an uptick in first-time users according to volunteer coordinator Louis Polanco.
The timing is unusual for food banks, which typically see slower traffic at the beginning of the month when people use their SNAP benefits at grocery stores. Dean Humphries, director of operations at Lutheran Social Services, expects that pattern to change dramatically if SNAP payments are suspended. “If there is no food stamps put out toward the community, anywhere from a 50 to 60 percent increase, I would expect,” Humphries said.The Trump administration will provide partial SNAP benefits for November after a judge’s orders. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will tap $4.65 billion from its contingency fund. That would cover 50% of current allotments for eligible households. In court papers filed Monday, the administration said it decided against pulling money from other sources that would provide full SNAP benefits for November.Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a 30-day declaration Monday aimed at ensuring thousands of Alaskan households receiving SNAP benefits can still put food on the table. The Dunleavy administration will work with the federal contractor to deposit EBT benefits on a weekly schedule. The Alaska Department of Health will collaborate with food banks to provide resources for those who need extra help. The declaration will last no longer than 30 days, or until the federal government reopens.The influx of new clients brings challenges beyond capacity. Humphries described the emotional impact on families seeking food assistance for the first time. “Nervous, embarrassed, a range of emotions, they bring kids in, we give the kids some snack packs, just to kind of alleviate that, but that’s typically like, they don’t know what to do,” Humphries said.For Dakota Nolder, an Anchorage resident, the situation is about survival. He has relied on SNAP benefits to cover the majority of his groceries. “I would use it, and budget meals throughout the whole entire month, and sometimes, save some over. And it was a great help, and I relied on it, but now that they are getting shut down for a little while, I’m going to have to use different resources, and I would say it’s more of an adaptation than a complaint,” Nolder said. Nolder plans to utilize multiple food assistance programs, including food banks, Anchorage Rescue Mission for dinner, Bean’s Cafe, Lunchbox and Hope Center for lunch. Nolder spoke with optimism about adapting to the changes, though questions remain about what constant SNAP changes mean in the days ahead.UAF Planetarium names director, plans February opening‘Do good by doing good:’ Local Anchorage artist turns art into food during painting marathon
SNAP Benefits Alaska Anchorage Snap SNAP Funding Lutheran Social Services Food Stamps Benefits Food Banks
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