Food pantries brace for SNAP cuts, sparking Feeding the Valley fundraising

ALBANY – From 8 a.m. until 10:30 every Monday through Thursday, a steady stream of people flows through the front door of the Lord’s Pantry. 

At least 90 of them each day visit the Albany food pantry. They’re parents trying to feed their children, homeless searching for their next meal, retirees who can no longer work. 

“We’ve had more new people this year than we’ve ever had before,” Mary Lou Chavers, a member of the Lord’s Pantry’s board of directors, said. “A good many of them are working poor, and they just don’t make enough to feed their families.” 

Chavers said demand for food pantry services skyrocketed this year, adding to persistent challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding the Valley, a Columbus-based food bank, which partners with more than 300 agencies across south Georgia, including the Lord’s Pantry in Albany, distributed 15 million pounds of food across southwest Georgia in 2024. Frank Sheppard, Feeding the Valley’s CEO, said food insecurity rates are still 35% above pre-pandemic levels, and most food banks face a food shortage. 

Now, food pantries are bracing for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cuts proposed by the president’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” SNAP benefits face a nearly $300 billion cut through 2034. Millions of people will lose some or all of the food assistance they need. Food pantries expect to see an increased demand for their services. 

Ward I Albany City Commissioner Jon Howard said he’s seen data that show some 20,000 Albanians receive SNAP benefits, and cuts would have a “profound impact.” He said the situation will be worse in social and economically disadvantaged areas throughout Dougherty County, especially those without nearby grocery stores. 

“There’s a fatalistic sort of attitude,” Chavers said. “We don’t have a good handle on what is going to be affected and how big it is going to be affected. But what’s not up in the air is people’s need every day. We’re trying to meet those needs, and it’s getting more and more expensive to do that.”

About 10 people were already in the waiting area of the Lord’s Pantry within its first five minutes of opening, Tuesday. Most were new clients. Some were repeat clients who volunteers have come to know. Some came in with good news to share: They found jobs or made it off the street. Others had to be turned away because they’d come back too early. Homeless individuals can only receive a food box every seven days. 

“I hate to do that,” Chavers said after turning a man away. “Our food is just so low.” 

Z Yisrael was one of the first clients. The 36-year-old picked up food for his wife and three children. His family is currently surviving off one income. He moved from Atlanta about five years ago to work as a plumber. He said he spends all of his money on bills, making groceries a challenge. This is the first year he’s had to get food from the Lord’s Pantry. He called it a blessing. 

“You have somebody you can count on,” he said. “You know where your next meal is coming from.” 

Jimmy Sullivan came through the office excited to let Chavers know he had found a place to stay. The 72-year-old has a disability and is in and out of homelessness. He said he’s been coming to the Lord’s Pantry for years. 

“I draw a social security check each month, but it’s hard to make it on that,” Sullivan said. “Food stamps don’t carry you too far because food prices are so high. A poor man can’t make it.” 

After receiving his food box, Sullivan will walk to his motel room where he’ll enjoy the solace of a bed, air conditioning and a television. When he does find places to live it’s usually motel rooms. He said he lives day-to-day, never knowing if he’ll be able to afford a room the next day. 

“I’m scared to death if they cut food stamps,” he said. “It’s going to be bad for us old folks. I just keep praying every day.” 

Feeding the Valley is taking a proactive stance, raising money for a Community Hunger Relief Fund. Frank Shepperd, the president and CEO at Feeding the Valley, said the fund is a response to post-pandemic era food shortages, inflated grocery costs (31% rise in the last three years), and SNAP and Medicaid cuts. 

“This will cause more people to request the assistance of food banks because other benefits and resources have been cut,” he said. “This Community Hunger Relief Fund is an opportunity for us to get ahead of the problems that may occur because of changes to legislation and help us provide more food for several of our programs that will be able to help more people in need.”

The fund has a $500,000 goal by the end of 2025. Money will be allocated to food sourcing to maintain inventory, the expansion of the meal delivery program that provides hot meals to children and seniors, as well as the launch of a neighborhood market. 

This market will be run out of the Columbus headquarters, where people who need food after hours can come get some from the facility. Sheppard said Feeding the Valley plans to eventually introduce this into Albany as well. 

“We always consider hunger relief to be a nonpartisan issue,” Sheppard said. “What we say to elected officials is there are a lot of people that are struggling to make ends meet, and they’re not looking for a handout. These are people just trying to get through … these tough economic times. So we just hope that they’ll be conscious of that when they’re making decisions.”

Chavers said the Lord’s Pantry is in need of money and more volunteers. The pantry spends about $5,000 on supplies each month to fill food and hygiene bags for the homeless population. Its small volunteer base is made up of seniors. Chavers said she worries about missing a day because there is no one to fill her place. 

“I’ve seen a decrease in the desire to serve our Lord by serving other people,” she said. “These people are our brothers and sisters in Christ.” 

Those interested in volunteering can call (229) 435-0911. The pantry is located at 219 W. Society Ave. in Albany.

The link for the Community Hunger Fund is https://feedingthevalley.org/relief/.