by April Scheinoha
Editor

The Thief River Falls Area Food Shelf and other food shelves are preparing for additional clients since it was anticipated that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits wouldn’t be issued Saturday, Nov. 1. SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budgets.

SNAP is among the programs caught in the crossfire related to the federal government shutdown. On its website, the U.S. Department of Agriculture noted that “the well has run dry” for SNAP benefits and blamed Senate Democrats.

The Thief River Falls Area Food Shelf tracks the employment and employment locations of its clients if they are willing to provide that information. Executive Director Alecia Hunt said the majority of the people currently served by the food shelf are senior citizens and working families who aren’t served by SNAP.

Hunt anticipates that the food shelf will serve additional clients if SNAP benefits were paused. “I just think we’re going to get slammed,” she said.

The food shelf has already made some changes to compensate for the anticipated influx of clients. Realizing that it may need to order more food and/or food on a more frequent basis, Hunt said the food shelf is trying to distribute its current inventory before ordering additional food.

Through Oct. 21, the food shelf has served 3,168 people ages 0 to 17; 7,304 people ages 18 to 64; 1,523 people ages 65+, and 4,837 households. Those client numbers are already substantially higher than last year’s numbers. As of Sept. 30, the food shelf has distributed 299,943 pounds of food.

During the holiday season, toys and food for food shelf clients will be accepted at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and the Free Church, both in Thief River Falls.

While Hunt appreciates public support for the food shelf, she advised the public to only host food drives for the food shelf when authorized by her. The food shelf has strict guidelines it needs to follow regarding the type of food that it can provide to clients.

The food shelf, located at 16330 150th St. N.E., is open Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m.

To donate to the food shelf, send a check to Thief River Falls Area Food Shelf, P.O. Box 802, Thief River Falls, MN 56701.