Pandemic-era SNAP benefits are long gone. Here’s how food pantries are coping.
Food pantries are the first line of defense for people facing food insecurity. With the help of pandemic-era SNAP benefits, some Chicagoans stopped relying on them. Then earlier this year, the Biden administration ended the COVID-19 public health emergency—and pandemic SNAP benefits along with it. So organizations like the Irving Park Community Food Pantry have seen an uptick in traffic, including many who hadn’t needed to supplement their groceries since before the pandemic.
In this episode, we get insight from Irving Park Community Food Pantry executive director John Psiharis and client services coordinator Elvia Esparza.
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The Rundown: Chicago News Podcast
Pandemic-era SNAP benefits are long gone. Here’s how food pantries are coping.
Food pantries are the first line of defense for people facing food insecurity. With the help of pandemic-era SNAP benefits, some Chicagoans stopped relying on them. Then earlier this year, the Biden administration ended the COVID-19 public health emergency—and pandemic SNAP benefits along with it. So organizations like the Irving Park Community Food Pantry have seen an uptick in traffic, including many who hadn’t needed to supplement their groceries since before the pandemic.
In this episode, we get insight from Irving Park Community Food Pantry executive director John Psiharis and client services coordinator Elvia Esparza.