REGIONAL—Food pantries across N’West Iowa have been preparing for — and meeting — a surge in demand as families faced the potential loss of food-assistance early this month during the government shutdown.
“As soon as we heard that there was the possibility that families would not be receiving their SNAP benefit for November, we geared up as much as we possibly could — and definitely since Nov. 1, we have seen an increase in the food demand,” said Alisa Schlief early this week.
Schlief is the family services director for Upper Des Moines Opportunity, which operates food pantries in 12 counties in northern and N’West Iowa, including O’Brien and Osceola counties. SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often colloquially referred to as food stamps.
That uptick in demand registered at Hope Food Pantry in Sioux Center, too, according to director Marianne Sjaarda. The pantry is operated as a drive-through, and it is open 1:30-5:30 p.m. every Wednesday…