Greer Relief has announced that it is shifting to a Crisis Emergency Food Assistance model in light of the federal government shutdown.
The United States Department of Agriculture stated that those who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would no longer receive them beginning Nov. 1 as a result of the shutdown. Due to this, Greer Relief is changing the way it gives out food to the community.
“If we were to continue with our choice pantry model, our pantry shelves would be obliterated in a very short period of time,” said Caroline Robertson, Greer Relief President. “[We need] to be able to really take that thin layer and just spread it as much as we possibly can.”
The new crisis model aims to give out a more controlled volume of food at a higher frequency. While using this model, volunteers with Greer Relief will package pre-portioned boxes to give to families on a weekly basis. Typically, families only come in once every four months for a box.
Robertson says that this idea of “crisis mode” has unfortunately become the new normal for Greer Relief and other pantries in the area. “We did this during Covid. We did this with Helene a year ago. And honestly, this has probably been the most organized response that we've had so far,” she said.
Those who wish to access Greer Relief’s resources are not required to show proof of SNAP benefits in order to receive assistance. Individuals and families can go to the pantry up to once a week for a box of food.
According to Robertson, the organization is expecting to give out at least 100 boxes per day during the crisis period. Currently, she says they should have the capacity to do that for up to three weeks.
Robertson encourages community members to volunteer their time packaging these boxes so that they are ready to go to families. Details about volunteering and donating can be found on Greer Relief’s website.
While this is an uncertain time for many families who rely on SNAP benefits, Robertson says that Greer Relief plans to be there in any way they can.
“Having been somebody who has been food insecure for a significant portion of my young life, it is scary to open the fridge and open the pantry and not have much of anything on the shelf,” she said. “But we’ve got you … As always at Greer Relief, if somebody walks in the door and says, ‘I need food,’ they will get food.”
For more information on Greer Relief, visit their website or call 864-334-3510.
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