BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Food pantries and community organizations across Western New York are hosting multiple food drives this weekend to combat rising hunger needs, particularly as the federal government shutdown continues to impact families relying on SNAP benefits.
Heart, Love and Soul, a Niagara Falls social service agency, has experienced a 120% increase in demand at its food pantry over the past five years, according to Executive Director Mark Baetzhold. The organization is specifically seeking donations of turkeys, canned vegetables, pies, shelf-stable pies, cranberry sauce and other Thanksgiving meal fixings.
“We have seen unprecedented need,” Baetzhold said. “People’s SNAP benefits have been cut off. This comes on top of a 120% increase that we’ve seen in demand in our food pantry over the last five years.”…