Food on the shelves at the Hope Center in Ambridge, October 23. (Photo: Alayna Hutchinson/Pittsburgh’s Public Source)
This article appeared for the first time Pittsburgh Public Source and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.
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As the federal shutdown threatens to withhold food stamps for millions of Americans, the food pantry at the Center for Hope in Ambridge has sparked an influx of visitors from across Beaver County.
“It’s almost like a storm is coming,” said Sue Otto, the center’s director.
The center, a faith-based nonprofit serving about 1,100 residents of Ambridge and surrounding areas, has been listed on social media along with other services and resources in the county as community members try to prepare for a possible wave of shortages.
The center is leveraging resources and support from community partners and other groups to address the boost in need, which may extend beyond November when recent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules go into effect. Meanwhile, a group of neighbors mobilized to fill the gaps.
“We don’t want anyone to panic, but they are panicking,” Otto said.
“It Hurts Everyone”
On October 1, the federal government announced a partial shutdown because Senate Democrats and Republican President Donald Trump failed to reach an agreement on spending. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania is in a budget impasse between Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and state Senate Republicans. The twin budget impasse forced the state Department of Human Services to announce on Oct. 17 that SNAP would be paused “until the federal government shutdown ends and funds are available to the state.”
According to SNAP, it serves about 41 million people nationwide, including 2 million in Pennsylvania. Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. The Census Bureau estimates that 1 in 4 Ambridge households exploit the program.
The Hope Center is partially funded by donations and also partners with local churches and other organizations. They are also a network partner Community Food Bank of Greater Pittsburghthrough which they receive federally funded groceries and subsidies. The pantry is open weekly and provides non-perishable items as well as fresh produce. They also offer emergency food bags that are ready for people to pick up.
To be eligible for the food pantry and enroll in the center’s system, individuals and families must meet the criteria set forth in the Federal Household Income Guidelines pursuant to s. Emergency Food Assistance Program. However, Otto said even if someone doesn’t qualify – which is infrequent – he provides them with food.
On Thursday, Otto began pulling out pantry supplies to prepare dozens of “fast bags” containing cans of soup, pasta and fresh produce to hand out to recent people who showed up.
“If it weren’t for these centers, we would be in trouble,” said Scott, an Ambridge resident who picked up an emergency bag of food on Thursday and asked not to give his last name.
He receives SNAP benefits and has been coming to the center for several years, preferring to exploit the pantry only in emergencies, he said, because he knows there are people in greater need than him.
“Our government is a total wreck right now and it is hurting everyone,” he said.
Dottie Trautman and her family have been coming to the center for five years. Her four grandchildren, for whom she is the primary caregiver, are involved in the center’s youth program and supplement their SNAP benefit gaps by using the food pantry. She said even food stamps aren’t always enough – especially since she’s trying to feed two teenage boys.
“I don’t know how I’m going to do it. I don’t know how,” Trautman said. “I feel bad because I think the food banks are probably going to get overwhelmed. They’re going to start jumping from food bank to food bank. And the community itself has so many needs.”
As surrounding areas struggle to cope with growing demand, Trautman is hesitant to go to a pantry outside her neighborhood because she doesn’t want to take away support from other communities, she added.
“I think there will be plenty of potato soup and other things that we can stretch out in the meantime,” Trautman said.
There are also concerns among Ambridge’s growing Latin American immigrant community, which Otto said currently makes up about a third of the population served by the center.
“I think whenever you come to America, you see it as a strong place. But a lot of people feel uncertain about the future,” said Esmeralda Martinez, a translator for Spanish speakers who started working at the center last year.
She said many members of the community, especially those who have children, are really worried about losing their benefits.
“We just try to always keep them informed, as long as we’re here, nothing will happen to them until the problem is resolved,” Martinez said.
Mobilizing the “vast network”.
In addition to local organizations, more than a dozen of Ambridge’s neighbors have mobilized to provide food and other necessities to the community. Jimmy Fabrizio, who helped organize the effort, said he reacted quickly because he knew how dire the situation was for people who rely on SNAP.
“As a former food stamp recipient, I thought, ‘Oh, this is really going to hurt people’s lives,’” said Fabrizio, who has lived in Ambridge for 16 years and works as a technology consultant.
While there are organizations like the Center of Hope in the area, he said he has heard that some people don’t feel comfortable going to the pantry for a variety of reasons, whether it’s personal beliefs, religious reasons or past experiences. Some people have mobility problems and cannot easily leave their homes, Fabrizio said.
As a former food stamp recipient, I thought, “Oh, this is really going to hurt people’s lives.”
–Jimmy Fabrizio
On Tuesday, Fabrizio began working with a network of neighbors and several local businesses to organize the distribution of food and hygiene products, along with direct deliveries. They’ve been spreading the word by posting fliers around town and posting on social media, and while they’ve already received a few requests, they’ve received even more offers of support.
He said the response from area residents who wanted to support was surprising and gave him hope.
“There is a huge and growing network of people who are kind of responding to this and making donations, offering to deliver food, prepare meals, set tables and hand out things,” Fabrizio said.
Tightening powers increases shortages
As November approaches, the Rev. Derek Davenport, chairman of the center’s board, said the coming month will be a critical one for the food pantry, but the need won’t end there.
“People are hungry all the time. It’s not just because of the government shutdown,” Davenport said. He said that when the government makes the right decision, “there will still be people who need food and the center will still be here.”
How recent SNAP eligibility requirements Otto will also come into force on November 1. Otto said some customers aren’t sure what these changes mean for them, especially seniors.
“It’s complicated. You hear bits and pieces on the news, but everyone is happy. How does this affect me?”
Otto said regardless of SNAP eligibility, the center will continue to look for ways – such as “fast bags” – to provide food to anyone who needs it. In the meantime, Otto said they continue to receive offers of support from the community, from local cheerleaders to retirement communities.
“A lot of people are trying to put it all together, we don’t want anyone to go hungry.”
Alayna Hutchinson is a freelance reporter based in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Before entering journalism, she worked in education and public relations in Washington, D.C. She can be contacted at Alayna alaynahutch15@gmail.com.
The Associated Press contributed.
