SNAP cuts mean Bucks County families are running out of food sooner each month, and when that happens, they turn to their local pantry to make up the difference. Local food banks are doing everything they can, but the need is far greater than what community resources alone can cover.
Elizabeth Zbinden, Food Program Manager with Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC), said they’re seeing more people who have never needed help before, including parents and seniors who are doing everything right but just can’t stretch their budgets any further.
“SNAP has always been the backbone of how our country fights hunger,” said Zbinden. “When that support is reduced, it puts a huge amount of pressure on food banks and community partners who simply don’t have the same resources or scale.”
BCOC is working harder to source food, stretch budgets, and keep pace with growing demand while costs continue to climb.
“Families are feeling the pressure, and so are the systems meant to support them,” said Zbinden. “It’s a tough moment, but it’s also a reminder of how connected we all are, and how much policies at the state and federal levels shape the realities our neighbors face every day.”
BCOC’s network of food pantries in Bucks County is seeing more families reaching out for help each month.
“Many are working full-time but still can’t keep up with rising grocery, housing, and childcare costs,” said Zbinden. “We’re also seeing more seniors and fixed-income households who have been hit especially hard by higher prices and reduced SNAP benefits.”
At the same time, the supply of food has become much less predictable. USDA food allocations have slowed down, and with both the state budget impasse and the federal government shutdown, there is even more uncertainty around future funding and deliveries.
“These disruptions trickle down quickly and leave our pantries trying to make up the difference,” said Zbinden. “Feeding America estimates that the average cost of a meal in the United States is $3.58, and for every meal provided by food banks, SNAP provides about nine. When SNAP benefits are reduced, the lost dollars translate directly into meals that families can no longer afford, and into additional meals that food banks are expected to provide.”
BCOC is also facing the impact of funding cuts firsthand. This year, they are losing more than $260,000 in USDA and state funds that previously allowed them to purchase fresh, local foods from area farms and vendors.
“That funding not only helped us stock our pantries with nutritious food but also supported local farmers and strengthened our regional food system,” said Zbinden. “Without it, both families and local producers feel the strain. Some of our partner pantries have already started cutting back on staple items like eggs, butter, and protein.”
READ: Nearly 1 in 3 Families with Children in Bucks County Are Struggling Economically, Says New Report
“Bucks County is a generous and compassionate community, and local support has remained strong, but the scale of this issue is beyond what community donations can fix alone,” added Zbinden. “We are doing everything we can to keep food flowing, but the need is rising faster than the resources available to meet it.”
BCOC is trying to stretch limited resources while keeping nutritious food available for everyone who comes through their doors. The challenge isn’t only about food, it’s about capacity. They’re feeling the effects of the ongoing state budget impasse and the uncertainty surrounding the federal government shutdown.
“Both have created major funding delays and a lot of instability in programs that families depend on,” said Zbinden. “When payments or reimbursements are delayed, it directly impacts our ability to purchase food, support pantries, and plan ahead. We’re also managing shortages at every level, from fewer USDA commodities to rising transportation and food costs, while trying to make sure our staff, volunteers, and partners don’t burn out.”
According to Feeding America, the national food budget shortfall is more than $33 billion, and with SNAP cuts and program disruptions, that gap keeps widening.
“On a larger scale, we need stable and consistent investment in programs like SNAP and USDA food assistance,” said Zbinden. “Those programs are the foundation of food security in this country, and when they’re strong, local food banks can focus on closing gaps instead of trying to cover an entire system. When people have the means to buy their own groceries, it strengthens families and communities alike. At the same time, the solution also has to come from the ground up.”
“Right now, we are stretched to our limits, if we have any demand increases from even a small portion of affected beneficiaries, we will be faced with scaling back our benefits to our guests.” – Mike Cerino, Executive Director with Warminster Food Bank
Bucks County is full of organizations, volunteers, farms, and local businesses that care deeply about their neighbors. Strengthening those partnerships, building more local food systems, and creating long-term access to healthy food is just as important.
“When state, federal, and local efforts work together, the impact is lasting,” said Zbinden. “I believe the path forward is about shared responsibility and collaboration. No one level of government or organization can fix hunger alone, but together we can build a system that is steady, fair, and centered on dignity. That’s what every family deserves.”
Mike Cerino, Executive Director with Warminster Food Bank, said the Warminster Food Bank can attribute no immediate impact to their service based on the changes recently made in new federal legislation. However, they are bracing for anticipated increases in demand because it is estimated that over 7,000 people currently receiving SNAP benefits in Bucks County will be dropped from the program.
“An even higher number of Medicaid beneficiaries will be dropped, which in turn will contribute to a financial burden which in turn translates to additional food insecurity,” said Cerino. “Right now, we are stretched to our limits, if we have any demand increases from even a small portion of affected beneficiaries, we will be faced with scaling back our benefits to our guests.”
Warminster Food Bank has experienced an extraordinary increase in demand for services. “Our pantry service has been increased to over 30,000 pounds per month and our food bank service, that which we share with smaller church based, senior, and veteran families, has been increased to 20,000 lbs.,” said Cerino.
In 2020, their output was 30,000 pounds a year.
“Our supplies have been good, but we have been forced to purchase critical items that were once provided via donations,” said Cerino. “This is no time to reduce benefits for those currently receiving assistance. Increased demand coupled with a recent decrease in monetary donations will severely impact our ability to serve our neighbors at current levels.”
Cerino said they are blessed to be a 100% volunteer organization.
“However, we purchase a lot of food [$12,000/month] and we also must pay for operational costs like the rent, utilities, supplies, etc.,” said Cerino. “We are hoping for and constantly striving for greater opportunities with private and corporate monetary donations, and a reversal of policy aim towards reducing SNAP and Medicaid benefits to local neighbors.”
