As SNAP enrollment drops, western North Carolina food pantries see surge in demand
Thu, August 6, 2026 at 5:21 PM
UpdatedThu, August 6, 2026 at 6:13 PM
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AUG. 6, 2026 – A food pantry in Buncombe County, North Carolina. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) —Food pantries across Buncombe County say they’re struggling to keep up with a growing number of families seeking help, even as enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) declines
Organizations say changes to SNAP eligibility requirements that took effect last year have left more people relying on food pantries to put food on the table. Buncombe County has seen an 8% decrease in SNAP participation since the eligibility changes took effect last July
At the same time, Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry reports a 48% increase in the number of families using its food pantry
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Current SNAP rules require most adults to work at least 80 hours per month to remain eligible for benefits. Local pantry leaders say those who no longer qualify are turning to community food programs instead
“I think it has been a challenge for us to kind of ramp up what we’re doing to meet the needs of the community,” said Savannah Craig, assistant director of Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry
Even some people who still qualify for SNAP say the assistance isn’t enough. Robert Slagle, who receives SNAP benefits, said his monthly allotment doesn’t cover his needs
“I’m getting food stamps, only $24 a month, and we need more than that,” Slagle said
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ABCCM, another Asheville nonprofit serving families in crisis, says it is also seeing more people seeking food assistance
“The need that we’ve been seeing from our neighbors is increasing. It feels like every day,” said Brooke Smith, director of ABCCM’s Crisis Ministry.
Smith said there isn’t one single cause for the increase but believes changes to SNAP and the rising cost of living are major factors
“Some of that can be attributed to different changes in the SNAP program,” Smith said
Click this link to access MANNA FoodBank’s food finder tool
