HARDEEVILLE, S.C. — In the Lowcountry, organizations assisting those in need are already experiencing the looming SNAP cutbacks before they are officially enacted.

The Glorious Church of Jesus Christ, which has operated a weekly food bank in Hardeeville since 2012, reports unprecedented demand.

Recently, they’ve observed a 20-30% increase in the number of families seeking assistance, as these households brace themselves for potential reductions in government aid. Each family typically consists of at least three members.

The modest church now finds its food tables only half-stocked, and their backup supplies are insufficient to meet the growing demand.

“We had people lined up at six this morning, aware that their benefits will cease by Saturday,” explained Alberta Gray, the church’s food bank director. “They’re concerned we might run out of provisions. Honestly, that’s a real possibility. Considering this is just the first day, imagine the challenges ahead. We’re unsure how we’ll manage, but we must find a way.”

Second Helpings is responsible for 85% of the food donations that the church food bank distributes.

They agency serves a total of 55 pantries, soup kitchens, senior citizen services and social services in Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties.

Several of those agencies have seen the number of people coming for help double in the last week alone.

“There’s only so much income at the end of the month when you’re paying for your roof and your transportation and your medical care,” Amy Colin, executive director of Second Helpings said. “And the thing that people are going without as food. And so, when you start reducing SNAP and other federal benefits, it is increasing at an alarming rate. And people are worried and we’re worried about how we’re going to get food to people.”

Second Helpings relies on donations from the community and also on local grocery stores to help provide the food to their agencies. Those stores also count on SNAP benefit payments as well, so the amount of food they have to donate has also gone down.

Second Helpings is asking businesses or communities to start small food drives of their own. They have already gotten calls from several local businesses who plan to do just that.

You can also make financial donations to their charity or local agencies to help cover this shortfall.

Click or tap here for more details and to donate to Second Helpings.