President Donald Trump's administration is proposing cuts to the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the Community Food Pantry of Reno/Sparks is worried it could drain their food supply.
Barbara Monroy, Director of the Community Food Pantry of Reno/Sparks, says, "60%-about of what we take in is federal food, and it's good food. It's potatoes, and it's fruits, and it's veggies, and its protein and without that we're going to have to obviously cut back."
Just last year, the food pantry fed over 85,000 people. And they're seeing a 21% increase in the total number of clients visiting compared to this same time last year.
If the program is cut, Monroy says the pantry will have to buy food using the money they get from donations and fundraisers. She tells us they're applying to multiple grants right now.
However, nothing is promised as federal cuts remain in the air leaving both the pantry and its clients in a vulnerable state.
Linda, a food pantry client, says, "Without it, it would be very difficult. I get $23 a month for me and my wife. That's it. So, without this; we'd be very, very, very skinny."
Greg, another client, adds, "It would impact me greatly because too much would be cut and it would hurt everybody else too, you know, because a lot of people depend on these food banks."
The community food pantry is asking for donations in the event these cuts do happen. To donate, check out the Community Food Pantry of Reno/Sparks' website.
