UTICA — With the emergency allotments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at an end, local food pantries are expecting to see an influx of people utilizing their services.

On Dec. 29 of last year, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which led to the SNAP emergency allotments that were provided from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to end on Feb. 28. The emergency allotments provided SNAP recipients with an increase in their standard monthly benefit amount.

The emergency allotments came at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic became more prevalent in the U.S. and brought on massive layoffs, quarantine and an uncertainty in people’s financial situations. Three years later, as vaccines have become readily available and COVID-19 cases overall have dramatically decreased, life has seemingly returned to what it resembled pre-pandemic, however, the end of the SNAP emergency allotments has highlighted the need for additional provisions.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move toward self-sufficiency. SNAP is also commonly referred to as food stamps.

Almost 3 million New Yorkers who receive SNAP benefits have been affected by the emergency allotments being rescinded. To address their food insecurity, many families are expected to turn to food pantries for additional assistance.

The Utica Food Pantry, at 729 Broadway, is the only food pantry that services the entire city as others might be restricted by neighborhood, according to Heather Wasielewski, executive director of the Utica Food Pantry. “Anybody from any area of Utica can come down to our pantry and receive food.”

In addition to SNAP benefits being returned to pre-pandemic levels, many people are already dealing with food insecurity due to inflation and rising grocery prices.

“We’ve already been seeing our numbers and the amount of food we give out double just because of the fact that inflation alone and food prices have gone up. I can guarantee that losing extra money a month [from SNAP] is going to only bring in more people to the pantry that are gonna need food.”

“We’re witnessing firsthand the emotions that people are going through already,” Wasielewski added.

Individuals and families facing food insecurity can utilize the services of the Utica Food Pantry by filling out an application with the organization. Wasielewski stated they do not question people’s financial status and go by their word. Upon filling out the paperwork, the pantry will provide three to five days worth of food once a month to recipients, in addition to allowing them to come in once a week for breads, baked goods, snacks, and other items that become available.

The pantry relies on monetary donations and food drives in order to address local food insecurity. “Without them, we can’t get the food that people need, so donations are always welcome,” Wasielewski said. Food drives help us keep the shelves full and donations help us get the food that we need. ... It’s really important that we continue to see these donations and that we continue to see help from the outside community.”

The Utica Food Pantry is one of many food pantries and soup kitchens in the Mohawk Valley that help low-income people and families who don’t have enough food.

To find a food pantry or soup kitchen near you, visit 211midyork.com.