Local social service agencies in Louisville and Southern Indiana are bracing for a rise in demand for food assistance as the potential expiration of federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits approaches on November 1, coinciding with the ongoing federal shutdown.

Dare to Care, an organization that supplies food pantries across 13 counties in the region, including those operated by Catholic parishes and social service agencies, issued a statement on October 30 highlighting the seriousness of the situation. “For families across Louisville and Southern Indiana, the impact will be immediate and devastating,” Dare to Care said.

The organization noted that SNAP benefits currently provide about $16 million each month in food assistance within Jefferson County alone. The statement emphasized: “SNAP is the first line of defense; food banks are here to help fill in the gaps. The monthly $16 million dollars flowing through SNAP in Jefferson County alone is more than Dare to Care’s entire annual budget for the 13 counties we serve in Kentuckiana.” They warned that food insecurity among children, seniors, and working families “will surge to record levels.”

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul also reported severe shortages at its pantry and kitchen facilities near downtown Louisville. In a statement released October 30, it said: “Our shelves are bare and the lines are long.” The society has experienced a steady increase in people seeking assistance throughout the year, with July seeing a 17% increase in households served at their pantry and a 24% increase in meals served at their Open Hand Kitchen compared to previous months. The statement continued: “We’ve seen a slow but steady increase in people served all year, but in July, we saw a 17% increase in households served at the pantry and a 24% increase in meals served in the kitchen. We expect our numbers in October to show a big increase as well.” Earlier this week, they set a one-day record by serving 150 people at their pantry; two days later they had to turn people away after running out of supplies.

Catholic Charities of Louisville is experiencing similar challenges both locally and at its Bardstown location. CEO Lisa DeJaco Crutcher spoke during an event on October 29: “We’re seeing more people, and the people who are coming have more need. … On the supply side, unfortunately, we’re seeing less available.” She added that starting November 1st, even more individuals will seek help from their already stretched resources: “So we have a really big problem. I am very concerned about what this is going to look like in the space of a couple of weeks.”

Community members wishing to support Catholic Charities can make donations or volunteer through cclou.org/donate/#ways-to-give or cclou.org/volunteer respectively. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul began its “Stock the Shelves” initiative last September to address rising needs; information on volunteering or donating can be found at svdplou.org. Dare to Care continues accepting both food donations and funding via daretocare.org.