After the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was suspended earlier in November, Beat Bama Food Drive (BBFD) and the Food Bank of East Alabama faced an influx of people in need. Although the Alabama Department of Human Resources plans to fully reinstate SNAP benefits after the resolution of the government shutdown, food insecurity in Auburn still continues, driving more community members to food banks and pantries for help.
According to Martha Henk, executive director of the Food Bank of East Alabama, the recent days have been “chaotic.” Over 175 member agencies rely on the organization, and families are becoming more anxious about finding food. With so many people relying on its services, the Food Bank has received a huge number of calls from both those in need and volunteers.
“With the temporary ending of SNAP benefits, it is busyness on steroids,” Henk wrote prior to the news about the full reinstatement. “This very much has the feel of previous natural disasters. It came on suddenly. The need level rises exponentially. The Food Bank has to quickly ramp up our response to try to meet the need.”
Henk also highlighted the effects of ongoing issues with cuts to food banks and other low-income programs by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Comparing March to September of this year, the number of people being served through our partnering agencies has shown a 29.8% increase in the number of people requesting help, and those numbers are growing at an alarming rate,” Henk noted.
For college students, the issue of food insecurity is even worse. According to Jackson Wells, president of BBFD, around 1 in 3 college students face food insecurity, with the numbers being even worse for graduate students.
“You see that trickle down into their social lives and academic lives,” Wells said. “If you don’t have the basic human building block of having access to nutritious food, you’re not getting any of the tertiary or corollary supplements that come with life.”
Despite the difficulties, BBFD and and the Food Bank remain hopeful and determined to provide for their community.
Wells said that while the final numbers for BBFD are not in yet, he is proud of the results so far and believes that their numbers will only increase in the final seven days of the food drive. Moreover, Wells hopes to raise more awareness and start a new program called Backpack Buddies, in which participants sponsor elementary students facing food insecurity.
At the end of the drive, the food raised from the drive benefits the Food Bank of East Alabama.
“It is not an overstatement to say that this food drive, the Auburn-Alabama Food Fight, determines whether some families will have Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and will have adequate food for their families beyond the holiday season,” Hank said. “In addition to bringing in food, BBFD serves to highlight the need for food and to encourage people to join in the effort.”
Those who wish to help are encouraged to donate to local food banks and pantries. While donating food helps, money goes a long way, as staff can determine the most cost-effective options. According to Wells, $1 can buy seven meals for a person.
“Support your local food bank,” Wells said. “That’s the best way that I have to say it.”
Places students can go for food
Students facing food insecurity can visit or call the following services for assistance:
- Auburn Cares Food Pantry (334-844-1305)
- Lupton Residence Hall
- Open from 8 to 11 a.m. on Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 2 to 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday
- Lupton Residence Hall
- Community Market of East Alabama (334-749-8844)
- 3810 Pepperell Pkwy., Opelika, Alabama
- Those interested must call to make an appointment.
- 3810 Pepperell Pkwy., Opelika, Alabama
- Food Bank of East Alabama (334-821-9006)
- 355 Industry Dr., Auburn, Alabama
- Open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- 355 Industry Dr., Auburn, Alabama
The Food Bank also lists a number of affiliated food pantries on its website.
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