DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowans struggling with food insecurity say they’re navigating uncharted territory as federal SNAP benefits were delayed this week for the first time.
Luke Elzinga, policy and advocacy manager for the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) food pantries, said their network is serving record numbers of people. On Monday, DMARC broke its single-day record for Iowans served.
“That previous record was around 2,100 people, and we served over 2,400,” Elzinga said. “Then the very next day, on Tuesday, we assisted almost 3,000 people in a single day, which shattered that record by over 500.”…