Title: The Struggle of SNAP Lapses: Food Banks Overwhelmed by Demand in America In recent times, millions of Americans have been struggling with lapsed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, leading to an unprecedented surge in demand for food banks and pantries. This issue has reached a critical point during the peak season for these organizations, causing them to be overwhelmed by the influx of people seeking assistance. The SNAP program is designed to provide financial support to low-income individuals and families so they can afford nutritious meals. However, due to various reasons such as delays in processing applications or changes in eligibility criteria, many beneficiaries have experienced lapses in their benefits. This has left them scrambling for alternative sources of food assistance, leading to long queues at food banks and pantries across the country. The situation is particularly dire during Thanksgiving season when these organizations typically experience a spike in demand due to increased charitable giving around this time of year. However, with SNAP lapses adding further pressure on already strained resources, staff members are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the steady flow of people seeking help. In Boston alone, the ABCD Allston/Brighton Neighborhood Opportunity Center Food Pantry has seen a significant increase in demand since SNAP benefits have lapsed for 42 million Americans. Operations Manager Elaina Schreckenberger describes the situation as “madness,” with staff handing out scores of frozen turkeys and other essential items to those waiting in line. The implications of this crisis are far-reaching, affecting not only individuals who rely on SNAP benefits but also local communities that depend on these organizations for support during tough times. As anxiety levels rise among beneficiaries, food banks and pantries must find ways to address the growing demand while ensuring they can continue providing essential services in the future. From a historical perspective, this issue highlights the ongoing challenges faced by low-income families when it comes to accessing adequate nutrition. It also underscores the importance of maintaining robust social safety nets that can help mitigate these issues before they escalate into crises like the one we are witnessing today. As a society, we must recognize the significance of this situation and take action to address the root causes of SNAP lapses. By doing so, we can work towards creating a more equitable and just system that ensures everyone has access to nutritious food – regardless of their financial circumstances.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/11/07/nx-s1-5600001/snap-usda-food-banks-pantries-demand-thanksgiving)
#millions
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