Name: Food banks ask for donations as government reopens
Uploaded: 2025-11-15T04:08:11.038Z
Duration: 2 min 41 s
Description: As the government reopens, people are anxiously waiting to receive their SNAP benefits. While they wait, they are taking advantage of local food banks - who also need help.

As the government reopens, people are anxiously waiting to receive their SNAP benefits. While they wait, they are taking advantage of local food banks - who also need help.

Pinellas County

Food banks in Pinellas County, Florida, are reporting a significant rise in demand as many residents have not yet received their SNAP benefits due to the recent government shutdown. Organizations like Good Neighbors Food Bank are stretching their resources to meet the needs of families who rely on these benefits, with some recipients visiting food banks for the first time.

Despite the government reopening, food bank leaders warn that it may take weeks for affected families to regain financial stability and replenish food supplies. Community members are being encouraged to contribute both food and monetary donations to help local nonprofits support those in need during the recovery period.

Food banks ask for donations as government reopens

And we've heard from some of you who did get your snap benefits today, but we know that so many others are still anxiously waiting. Local food banks are stepping in to help, but now they're feeling the pressure from the growing demand. Our Pinellas County reporter Casey Albritton has been covering the fallout from the shutdown for weeks, and tonight she's following through with the people who cannot afford to wait the way things are. We all need help. Eva Weatherspoon is one of many people who haven't received their snap benefits since the government shut down. But it's not too difficult because they have the food pantry that you can go and get stuff that you don't even not able to buy anymore. She spent Friday waiting in line at Good Neighbors Food Bank to get some much needed food. It's a blessing to be able to stand in this line to get help. We don't have the food. They help you out. With snap being cut off and not knowing what people are going to get them, holidays are coming. Families have to eat and Children have to eat. Joe Carson is another snap recipient who is now visiting food banks for the first time. I got a family, three of us, and we have to eat. So it's very, very important, and I'm very appreciated. And with longer lines, it's making it difficult for nonprofits to keep up. We're seeing it seems to be hovering around 32% increase in people coming out to receive food. Heather Brooke with Good Neighbors says the organization has been stretched thin. So we're taking the food that we're getting in and just stretching it as far as we can between our giveaways that we do on our site as well as the mobile program out to senior neighborhoods and family communities. As the government reopened, she says it could take weeks for people to recover. It's gonna take them a bit to get their bills caught up and get enough food and their funding back in the bank and things like that. That's why she's asking the community to help as much as they can. As families work to adjust back to normal, give a little bit reach out and help. And if you're interested in helping Good Neighbors, leaders say they are accepting both monetary and food donations and Clearwater. I'm Pinellas County reporter Casey Albert in Tampa Bay 28. Casey, thank you. Since the start of the government shutdown, Casey has been listening to people all over Pinellas County, dealing with the uncertainty of snap benefits over the past month. She's shined a light on businesses that use their own supplies to give out free meals to Children. So scan that QR code on the bottom of your screen to get in touch with Casey. She's always looking to shine a light on people in Pinellas who are going above and beyond to help their neighbor.

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