North Hollywood – The North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry is seeing a sharp rise in the number of families seeking help, a trend its chairwoman Jane Poole attributes to recent changes in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and ongoing inflation.

Local families feel the pinch

“Our numbers are climbing every day,” Poole told NBC Los Angeles. “We hit 386 bags last Friday, which is what we see during a budget crisis or a government shutdown.” The pantry, which provides free groceries and a daily SNAP lunch, has become a critical safety net for residents who suddenly find their benefits reduced or eliminated.

One longtime SNAP recipient, Patrick Gregory, described the sudden loss of purchasing power: “All of a sudden, there’s no money. I’m like, where did the money go?” Gregory said he now relies on the pantry to fill the gap when his benefits run dry.

Federal SNAP rule changes take effect

Effective Oct. 1, new federal rules expanded work requirements for certain SNAP participants and altered eligibility for specific groups. While the program continues to help low‑income households buy groceries, the tightened criteria have left some families scrambling to adjust.

Poole explained that a number of recipients had prepared for the change by keeping cash on their benefit cards, but many are now in “emergency mode” as the new requirements take hold.

Rising food costs compound the problem

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows food‑at‑home prices in the Los Angeles‑Long Beach‑Anaheim region rose 3 % over the past year and jumped 0.09 % in August 2026 alone. Michael Flood, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, confirmed that the organization is distributing more food this year than last.

“What we’re hearing from families, seniors and others is that their dollar is not going that far, and we can see the impact of inflation,” Flood said.

Food insecurity remains high

A recent study by the LA Regional Food Bank and USC Dornsife found that food insecurity held steady at 24 % in 2025, underscoring the persistent challenge for many households in the region.

Local leaders and faith‑based groups are urging policymakers to consider the real‑world effects of SNAP reforms on families already burdened by rising living costs. In the meantime, the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry continues to serve as a lifeline for those in need.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.