Fox Valley food pantries sees large visitor uptick amidst uncertainty with SNAP benefits

*Editor's note* - The interviews in this story were done before the announcement that judges ruled SNAP funding must be done with contingency funds.

MENASHA, Wis. (WFRV) - Food pantries across the Fox Valley have been preparing for a possible pause in SNAP benefits amidst the ongoing government shutdown.

According to Monica Clare, the Executive Director at St. Joseph's Food Program, the pantry saw an increase in people coming through the doors over the last week, with nearly 100 more families than usual.

“It showed that people are concerned about where their food will come from if they can't use their SNAP cards; it makes a big difference,” Clare said.

Thousands of people in our community rely on food share programs every month.

For Candice Nelson, a single mother of two, these benefi