Kentucky food bank reports 40% increase in demand as message from White House sparks confusion

Dare to Care, Kentuckiana's largest food bank, is reporting a massive increase in demand while Americans wait to see how and when food assistance cards will be reloaded.

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Local food banks are reporting both good and bad news on Tuesday- the good news is the community has stepped up, and the supply is there. The bad news is that the demand is even higher.

According to Alexus Richardson, spokesperson for Dare to Care, the need is intensifying every day in our community.

She shared that the non-profit's warehouse on Fern Valley Road had a line out the door on Tuesday. At a spot where they typically feed about 40 families per day, they have already handed out food boxes to 117 families today.

Richardson said Dare to Care partner agencies- the food banks and pantries that are provided food by Dare to Care- are reporting a 40% increase in demand this week.

Confusion from the top down

On Tuesday, President Trump said that federal food benefits provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will go out only when the government shutdown ends. He shared the update on social media.

The announcement comes one day after his administration told a federal judge that it would partially fund SNAP, using money from a contingency fund. According to the memo filed in the court record, the USDA planned to notify states of the partial funding on Monday, and it would then be up to states to calculate how the amounts for families and distribute the money.

The memo did note it was unclear how quickly the process would work and when SNAP benefit cards, known as EBT card, would be reloaded.

After Trump's post stirred confusion, the White House press secretary confirmed they will be following the court order and using the contingency funds to partially fund SNAP benefits this month.

How Kentucky leaders are responding

On Friday, Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency and directing an initial $5 million from the budget reserve trust fund to Feeding Kentucky food banks.

About $1 million is being directed to the Kentuckiana area food banks through Dare to Care, according to Richardson.

We also learned on Tuesday that JCPS will be working with Dare to Care to feed students facing food insecurity. Superintendent Brian Yearwood said on a typical day, the district gives out over 100,000 meals each day to students.

The district will be accepting donations at every JCPS school, the Van Hoose Education Center, the Stober building, and the CB Young Service Center. Those donations will then be given to Dare to Care, to help stock local pantries that JCPS families have access to.

How can you help?

On a local level, the most effective way to help people who may lose access to food stamps is to donate money to credible organizations like Dare to Care. James said, while his organization is not turning down food or volunteers, they are equipped to do a lot with a little when it comes to cash.

For example, you will spend $1.09 in the grocery store on one can of soup. But Dare to Care can feed two people with your $1 donation.

You can donate here. If you or someone you know needs help finding access to food, you can find a list of Dare to Care partners here.

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