Local food pantries prepare for increased demand due to government shutdown

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4) — Nearly two weeks into the federal government shutdown, major federal food programs could run out of money and food pantries expect to see federal workers showing up soon.

One food pantry, the Crossroads Urban Center, is concerned about what the government shutdown might bring.

Glenn Bailey, executive director at Crossroads Urban Center, says their biggest concern is the unknown, not knowing how long the shutdown will last and how many federal workers will need help during that time.

“There’s a concern because it’s the uncertainty. You don’t know how long it’s going to go on, and the longer it goes on, the harder it’s going to be,” Bailey said. The center runs two emergency food pantries, and Bailey has already taken calls from federal workers who’ve lost their pay.

“They said they were a federal contractor and lost their income and didn’t have any savings,” Bailey said about one caller.

With inflation, higher demand, and now the threat of a longer shutdown, Bailey says this puts even more pressure on pantries.

“We’re stretching the food donations already, but if we have to serve significantly more people, we will have to push to scrape together more donations to meet the demand,” Bailey said.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program are funded through October, according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services. However, Bailey says that if federal support is delayed or cut, the impact will be felt hard by pantries.

“We’re a private non-profit and don’t get government money, so it doesn’t affect us directly, but the effect on us is spillover. So, the groups that rely on federal money, if that’s cut back or lost, then those people they were serving are without resources, and that increases what we need to do here,” Bailey said.

He says the longer the standoff continues, the more people may need help.

“We’re already so busy and scrambling just to meet the need right now. We’re already doing everything we can as demand goes up. We will try to do more, but there’s no way to prepare for it,” Bailey said.

Utah Food Bank

At the Utah Food Bank, CEO Ginette Bott is keeping a close eye on the situation, remembering what happened last shutdown.

This time of year, they normally see an increase in numbers at all their locations, but they want to make sure if they are seeing an increase right now because of the government shutdown. Reportedly. it will take another pay cycle or two, but they are ready.

“This has happened in the past. We were prepared to serve and work with folks from the airport, the last time the government shut down. We are prepared to do those same kinds of things now. We have to watch, wait, and communicate with those who will be distributing the food and those who have employees who might need food. We need to have them reach out to us so we can be ready to reach out to them,” Bott said.

Food pantries and food banks say this is just the beginning of the shutdown and that they are watching closely for the increased need.