Stolen SNAP benefits leave Danville families searching for food as pantries see surge - Dining and Cooking

DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) – Families in Danville are scrambling to put food on the table after their SNAP/EBT benefits were stolen — and local organizations say the growing need is stretching resources.

“I kind of lost hope anything was going to change,” said Danville resident Tederick Holland. “Until you reached out, I really didn’t see any help coming.”

Holland has received EBT benefits for about a year.

He said he planned to use those benefits on the Fourth of July to help get his little sister a meal — but when he checked his balance, the money was gone.

“I’ve never given anyone my PIN or my card information,” Holland said. “If I got something for somebody, I was there with them. I took every precaution — and when this happened, it really upset and hurt me. I couldn’t believe it.”

The Virginia Department of Social Services told WDBJ7 that stolen benefits will not be replaced. For Holland, that meant turning to whatever options he could find.

“Honestly, I’ve been doing what a lot of people around here do. I’ve been going to the plasma center,” Holland said. “And lately I’ve been on my own two feet — walking around, trying to find odd jobs.”

Holland said he walked to the plasma center, sold his plasma, and walked back home — just to be able to eat.

He’s not the only one in crisis.

Changing Lives Outreach Center Executive Director Dr. Cynthia Terry said her organization has seen hundreds of people lining up for help after their benefits were stolen as well.

She said the surge has forced the center to expand what used to be monthly food giveaways into weekly distributions.

“It’s putting a lot of pressure on us — on our volunteers,” Terry said. “But we’re out here, curbside, mobile — in the middle of the community. And it’s been very difficult keeping our shelves stocked.”

Feeding Southwest Virginia, which helps supply food to pantries like Changing Lives Outreach, said its warehouses have also noticed a surge in demand.

Terry added that Anthem HealthKeepers saw WDBJ7’s story Tuesday and offered to sponsor her outreach center.

For families like Holland’s, he said community support is making a difference.

“I’m glad there are still food banks around,” Holland said. “We have more now — God’s Pit Crew, God’s Storehouse — places that are actually helping people out here who are going through this.”

Changing Lives Outreach Center will distribute food Saturday starting at noon. To find ways to help here.