By: Harrison Pray
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The Emergency Food Pantry received a $15,000 donation from Capital Credit Union on Tuesday, November 11, as local families feel the impact of paused SNAP benefits.
The food pantry has seen demand double in recent days as the SNAP benefit interruption affects area residents.
“We all see what’s going on in the community with the SNAP gap and the shortage of basic needs for people,” said Doug Lee of Capital Credit Union.
For people like Rian Siler, the food pantry provides essential support during the benefit pause.
“My hope is that it keeps going for the homeless; that they don’t stop the assistance for the food for the homeless by any means because I’m sure I’ll need it for a little while myself,” Siler said.
The increased need shows up in distribution numbers. Stacie Loegering said the pantry typically gives out 100,000 pounds of food in a month. Last week alone, the pantry distributed 51,000 pounds of food.
The $15,000 donation will help the pantry keep up with the increased demand.
“If they didn’t have that, then we wouldn’t have anything,” Siler said.
The pantry continues to accept donations and volunteers. Capital Credit Union is also collecting non-perishable food items at their Fargo branches.
