LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Food pantries in Arkansas are transitioning from Thanksgiving to Christmas preparations, but many claim that the need for aid is only increasing due to a spike in demand brought on by recent SNAP disruptions, the federal government shutdown, and the aftermath of natural disasters.
In Pine Bluff, a community already designated as a food desert, Neighbor to Neighbor Executive Director Pat Tate said the pantry wasn’t able to fully provide traditional Thanksgiving staples this year.
“Not everybody got a turkey for Thanksgiving or some sort of meat, so those people who didn’t get it will get it for Christmas,” Tate said.
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The inability to meet every request has been an emotional challenge for Tate…