With SNAP cuts looming, concerns grow among organizations that provide food: 'Very tough time'

ORANGE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- As the government shutdown continues, millions of Americans are preparing to lose food assistance when federal funding comes to a halt on Nov. 1.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would not use emergency funds to help cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, prompting some concerns here in the Triangle.

"Right now, there are nearly 7,000 kids on free and reduced lunch in Orange County," Suzanne Tormollen of TABLE said. "We're serving a small portion of it."

TABLE delivers healthy food and nutrition education to children living in Orange County. Every week, volunteers prepare fresh food to feed more than 1,000 kids, with the waitlist that Tormollen said is almost 300 as of Tuesday.

"As soon as we bring families into our program, we do have more families that join our waitlist," Tormollen said. "So in order to sustainably continue feeding the kids that are on our program now, we have to make sure our numbers do not rise too quickly."

Tormollen said they're prepared for the potential impact of SNAP benefit cuts, but losing additional funds would bring even more challenges to families, especially heading into the holidays.

"It's horrible," volunteer Sue-Anne Solem said. "I know it's important work."

TABLE partners with several local farms that harvest and bring fresh food, such as Faithfull Farms in Chapel Hill.

"It's a very tough time," owner Howard Allen said.

Allen has worked with TABLE for more than a year and said the demand has grown. He said it's important for him to continue providing hunger relief to the community.

SEE ALSO | NC SNAP recipients react to funding freeze, brace for impact on feeding family

"Every time I go to the grocery store, the prices seem to be a little bit higher," Allen said. "I am concerned for my neighbors and also folks in my community."

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