BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) – In a Sunday announcement, the United States Department of Agriculture revealed that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will cease on November 1st. With only a few days to brace for the impact, local food pantries are gearing up to handle the anticipated surge in demand.

For more than half a century, the Haven of Rest in Bristol, Tennessee has been a cornerstone for the community, offering food, hot meals, and clothing to those in need.

Brian Plank, the Executive Director, noted a noticeable increase in demand at the pantry over the past week alone.

“We’ve seen a significant rise in the number of individuals reaching out for assistance,” Plank explained. “Typically, we schedule about a week in advance, but now we’re booked two weeks out. Every available time slot for food pickup is currently filled.”

In response to concerns over the SNAP benefit shortfall, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency on October 23rd.

Plank expressed concern about the potential repercussions for neighboring Tennessee, fearing the strain the benefit cut might have on the state.

“Tennessee is going to be in the same boat as anybody else,” he said. “Tennessee, as far as I know, I don’t think they’re doing anything to try to augment right now. I think that when we hit November 1, all SNAP benefits are going to dry up.”

The Haven has served SNAP recipients before. Plank said he’s most concerned about senior citizens who receive SNAP at the base level and still rely on the pantry for food.

“We see a lot of seniors and things like that who get very, very little in the way of SNAP benefits,” he said. “You’re talking just 20 bucks in some cases, and it’s just not enough to get them through, so they’re still coming here and doing that.”

Plank said the team at the Haven has been great with preparations on such short notice and supporting each other through their efforts.

“Everybody has been working great,” he said. “We have a board member who’s been really helpful. We’ve got some other folks coming in that are just helping to stock food and keep everything rotated and organized.”

The Haven receives their food from Second Harvest Food Bank in Kingsport, as well as local church food banks around the area.

In preparation for an influx of people, the Haven is asking for donations of canned goods, which are some of the first items to leave the pantry shelf.

“They need the vegetables and the things like that,” Plank said. “Also, when you’re talking canned goods, you’re also basically talking dry goods. So you’re talking like mac and cheese, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce and all those things. Just the things you would generally look at to try to put a meal together with.”

The Haven is also requesting blanket and poncho donations as they prepare for colder months.

The Haven of Rest accepts food and clothing donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week at 319 7th Street, Bristol, TN.