‘Not sustainable’ | Food pantries in Kentucky, Indiana overwhelmed as SNAP benefits stall

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Families across Kentucky and Indiana are scrambling to put food on the table after SNAP benefits ran out Nov. 1, leaving millions without the federal assistance they depend on.

President Donald Trump's administration announced Monday that emergency funds will partially restore the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program after two federal judges ordered the government to keep food aid flowing during the ongoing shutdown. But officials said the aid will only cover about half of the program’s usual cost — more than $8 billion a month — and it’s unclear how much recipients will receive or when the funds will appear on their cards.

At United Crescent Hill Ministries, workers spent Monday sorting through piles of donations as people waited outside hours before the food pantry opened. Executive Director Stephanie Henry-Floyd said the organization has seen nearly double the number of families needing help compared to earlier this year.

“This is not sustainable,” Henry-Floyd said. “Who’s to say the people donating to us won’t find themselves in these same lines?”

More than 40 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits, including around 1.2 million residents between Kentucky and Indiana. Food banks like Dare to Care are struggling to fill the gap as demand grows and federal funding drops.

“We have not been able to keep up with demand,” Vincent James, president and CEO of Dare to Care, said. “We’re down over a million pounds from this time last year.”

James said funds could take weeks to reach families — time many said they can’t afford to wait.

For a list of more than 100 food assistance resources in our community, click here.

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