Food Bank of Reno County seeks support as SNAP benefits face delays

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Food Bank of Reno County is preparing for an unprecedented surge in demand as federal nutrition benefits are expected to be delayed in coming weeks, threatening food security for thousands of local residents.

Angela Penner, executive director of the food bank, said the organization is bracing for a crisis that could leave many families without critical support.

"We are preparing for a level of need we've never seen before," Penner said. "One in five children in Reno County already faces food insecurity, and many of their families depend on SNAP. If those benefits are interrupted, our food bank will be the first line of defense."

Nearly 8% of Reno County residents — about 4,800 people — currently receive SNAP benefits to meet basic food needs. The looming interruption could remove more than $800,000 monthly from the local economy, affecting grocery stores, markets and ultimately every sector of the community, according to the food bank.

The organization is calling on community members to contribute through its Nourishing Our Future capital campaign, which aims to address both immediate needs and long-term sustainability.

Financial donations are particularly valuable for three reasons, Penner said: They maximize space and efficiency in the food bank's limited storage area; they provide purchasing power through a partnership with the Food Bank of Kansas, allowing the organization to buy food at deeply discounted rates; and they help target nutritional needs by purchasing items most needed for balanced diets.

The food bank recently purchased a new facility at 921 E. 4th Ave., a space three times larger than its current location at 700 N. Walnut. Once renovated, the building will triple cold storage capacity, provide safer volunteer work areas and allow multiple families to shop with dignity. The campaign seeks to raise $1 million, with $433,000 already secured.

"Our current space was never designed to serve this many people," Penner said. "This new facility will allow us to serve more families more efficiently and with greater dignity."

Donations can be made online at www.foodbankofrenacounty.org or by check mailed to Food Bank of Reno County, 700 N. Walnut, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Non-perishable food donations are accepted at the food bank or in donation barrels at Dillons Marketplace on 30th Avenue.

For more information, contact Penner at 620-960-8815.