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When SNAP Ends Hunger Rises: A Day at Duluth Food Pantry

By November 12, 2025No Comments

Sunday, November 2nd was the first food distribution at the Humanity First Duluth Food Pantry since SNAP benefits were halted due to the government shutdown—and to say we were slammed is an understatement. New and returning families came with and without registration for a box of shelf-stable nutritious food. 

By the end of the day we had served 20% more families than we had budgeted for. The stories that people told me these past two weeks were distressing reminders of how fragile food security can be.

”One new family arrived after driving around Atlanta all day searching for a pantry open on Sunday. A young father of five children ranging from 11 years old to just 3 months came in, overwhelmed and exhausted. Despite both parents working, they didn’t have enough food for their family. He patiently waited through the long registration process, and thanks to the generosity of our donors this fall, we had enough for walk-in clients like this family. We were able to provide what they needed and he left grateful and promised to return next month, as we try to restock the food that is moving out much faster than usual.

”Another family, longtime visitors to our pantry, came in looking more anxious than ever. When I asked if everything was okay, the mother shared that with SNAP benefits gone, they have almost nothing left to feed their family for the rest of the month. While she was thankful for the food we could provide, she admitted she didn’t know how she would make up the difference.

”Then there was a young woman referred to us through Unite Us, a platform that connects people to local resources for help. She had recently become unhoused and hadn’t eaten in three days. When I called to assure her we could help, she broke down in tears of gratitude. A few hours later, she came to the pantry, registered, and left with food to make meals for a month.

These stories are not isolated. They represent the growing crisis of food insecurity when jobs are furloughed or safety nets disappear. 

The shutdown has finally ended, but backpay and reinstated benefits may not immediately arrive to help people buy food. At Duluth Food Pantry, we have supported additional families all month, but we cannot do it alone. Your support keeps the pantry stocked and helps us ensure that no family goes hungry during this difficult time.

 

Farah Quraishi
Humanity First USA
Director Duluth Food Pantry
3100 Breckinridge Blvd Suite 740
Duluth GA 30096
duluth.pantry@us.humanityfirst.org

Thank you to our volunteers and all who support this critical work.