A Perfect Storm of Hunger Is Hitting Broome County

Food pantries across the country are facing one of the toughest moments in recent memory, and it’s hitting home right here in the Southern Tier. With the government shutdown halting SNAP benefits for more than 42 million Americans, families who rely on that assistance to put food on the table are left wondering how they’ll get by.

These benefits aren’t just numbers on paper, they’re the groceries that fill school lunches, the milk in the fridge, the dinners that bring families together. And now, without them, food pantries are bracing for an unprecedented surge in need.

SNAP Disruptions Are Leaving Millions Without Support

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the lifeline for millions of low income families. When government funding stalls, so does access to food for those who need it most. That means parents are skipping meals so their kids can eat, seniors are stretching cans of soup to last the week, and local food banks are preparing for long lines that grow by the day. When programs like SNAP go on pause, local communities become the safety net, and that’s where the weight really starts to show.

READ MORE: In Addition to Food, CHOW Needs These 11 Items

More People Are Turning to Food Banks for Help

Even before the shutdown, food pantries were reporting higher demand than usual. Many working families were already on the edge, struggling to afford groceries as prices continued to climb. Now, with benefits frozen, thousands more are expected to turn to community organizations for help. Local volunteers are already seeing the signs of longer lines, fewer donations, and shelves that empty faster than they can be restocked.

High Grocery Prices Are Making It Even Harder

Inflation has quietly changed how families shop and eat. Groceries cost more now, a lot more, and many people who never imagined they’d need help are finding themselves visiting food banks for the first time. For those already on tight budgets, the loss of SNAP benefits isn’t just inconvenient; it’s devastating. With prices soaring, many are forced to make heartbreaking choices between paying for food, rent, or medication.

Food Banks Are Running on Empty

Food banks and pantries are doing everything they can, but most were already stretched thin. They rely on community donations, grocery store partnerships, and volunteers, all of which are being tested by the growing need. Many are cutting into their reserves, dipping into emergency funds, or shortening operating hours just to make ends meet. The compassion is there. The resources are not.

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How You Can Help Locally

Here in Broome County, one of the best ways to make a difference is by supporting the Food-a-Bago Food Drive, happening now through the morning of November 10 at Weis Markets on Upper Front Street in Binghamton. Every can, every box, every dollar helps restock the shelves of CHOW, which feeds thousands of our neighbors each year. If you can’t make it in person, you can scan the QR code below to make a secure online donation. Cash and checks (made payable to Music for the Mission) are also accepted, and no amount is too small to make an impact.

The Heart of a Community Is Its People

These are the moments when communities like ours shine the brightest. Whether you donate or simply help spread the word, every effort counts. Food insecurity is growing, but so is our capacity for kindness. When times get tough, it’s the people of the Southern Tier who step up and right now, that’s exactly what our neighbors need.