KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WCYB) \u2014 According to the Tennessee Department of Human Services, SNAP participation has dropped by more than 100,000 people since federal rule changes took effect last July.<\/p>\n
News 5’s Natalea Hillen spoke with a Sullivan County woman feeling the impact and learned what food banks across the region are doing to meet the growing need.<\/p>\n
The SNAP cuts and changes continue to impact families across Northeast Tennessee, with some saying it is becoming harder to afford groceries and make ends meet.<\/p>\n
For Lorraine Goad, putting food on the table has become more challenging over the past year, as changes to SNAP benefits have stretched her budget even thinner.<\/p>\n
It makes it very hard. It’s very depressing. It puts everyone in a bad place, not being able to afford what you need. That affects people in a lot of ways. The rules changed, and you have to work so many hours. Some people aren’t able to work. They’re disabled or they have children and can’t go to work. It’s a very much needed benefit for everyone, Former SNAP Recipient Lorraine Goad said.<\/p>\n
As costs continue to rise, Goad said living on a fixed income has made it increasingly difficult.<\/p>\n
Everything is so expensive and we have to eat, said Goad.<\/p>\n
Advocates with the Tennessee Justice Center said the need for food assistance hasn’t gone away, even as fewer people are receiving SNAP benefits.<\/p>\n
They said new work requirements and documentation rules have created additional barriers for some Tennesseans trying to qualify for or keep their benefits.<\/p>\n
It’s up to 20 hours a week. Some people are working that much, or maybe they fall short a little, but it doesn’t take into account the hours somebody might need to be home with their children or the barriers they face. Food and work should not be held together. Individuals should have access to food because that’s what’s going to make them successful in being able to find a job, said Tennessee Justice Center Senior Director of Nutrition Advocacy, Signe Anderson. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, area food banks said they’re seeing the effects firsthand. Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee CEO Rhonda Chafin said demand for food assistance has increased by about 10% compared to this time last year. Chafin said Second Harvest serves 90,000 people a year.<\/p>\n
The need is not declining, it is increasing and we know that it’s difficult, everything’s more expensive, said Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee CEO, Rhonda Chafin.<\/p>\n
Chafin said recent research shows food insecurity remains a concern across the state, particularly for families with children.<\/p>\n
There’s a new study that just came out from Vanderbilt and one in three children are food insecure in the State of Tennessee, Chafin said.<\/p>\n
As food banks work to keep up with the growing need, leaders said community support can make a difference through volunteering or donations.<\/p>\n
To donate, click here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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