Lowcountry food banks brace for impact of SNAP benefit pause

by Aaron Dixon

BEAUFORT COUNTY, SC. (WTOC) - We heard from a food bank in the Lowcountry that is bracing for more people at their doors when SNAP benefits end Saturday.

One annual food drive is trying to help soften the blow.

For food banks across the country, the holiday season is already one of the busiest times of year and now they are expecting see even more people at their doors with SNAP benefits ending on November 1.

We spoke with one food bank about what they could see starting November 1 and talked to first responders about a food drive they are hosting that is looking to diminish that impact.

Bluffton Self Help has been a resource for people in the Bluffton area to get food for 38 years.

It’s evolved into a grocery store setting, where people can stop by and grab what they need.

Currently, they have four times during the week, where people can come. They’re looking at adding a fifth time slot.

Over the last three years, CEO of Bluffton Self Help, Courtney Hampson, says the amount of people they are serving has doubled.

She expects that number to grow even larger.

“We can suspect and assume that families that usually don’t shop every week with us, now they will have to. We are just getting ready to see more families than usual,” said Hampson.

While Bluffton Self Help braces for more people coming to their door, first responders in the county are gearing up to host their annual food drive for the fourth year to help make sure the shelves are stocked, which could have a bigger impact this year.

“We ask the community to donate non-perishable items within date to help these area food banks,” said Lindsay Housaman, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

The drive will be held for several weeks, and it could be as easy as going through your pantry or an added item to your next grocery store shopping list.

“The next time you’re in the grocery store or in Walmart grab a box or a can. You know anything helps to get food back on the shelves for those in our community that are in need.”

All donations from the drive will be given to both Bluffton Self Help and Help of Beaufort.

That food drive will run from November 1 through December 12.