Help Inc. Food Pantry, a lifeline for thousands of families across Beckham, Roger Mills, Dewey and Washita counties, is feeling the strain of rising demand and shrinking donations. Executive director Wendy Walker says the pantry now assists roughly 900 families each month, up from around 620 before the recent SNAP work‑requirement changes.
Demand spikes after SNAP work rule shift
In March, Oklahoma adjusted its SNAP program, tightening the weekly work‑hour requirement to 20 hours. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports about 133,000 fewer people are on SNAP this year compared with a year ago. Many of those who lost benefits are now turning to local food pantries for help.
“A lot of those moms and dads and grandpas can’t do the 20 hours a week,” Walker explained. “They’re working, caring for children, and simply don’t have the time to meet the new requirement.” As a result, the pantry sees about 30 new applications each week, and the number of individuals served has roughly doubled.
Donations decline, forcing cuts
At the same time, the pantry reports a drop in charitable contributions, making it harder to keep shelves stocked. “We are running on a really tight rope over here,” Walker said. “I’m just trying to stretch the dollar as far as we can.” To manage the shortfall, the pantry has reduced the amount of food each person receives, hoping to ensure that no family goes home empty‑handed.
Walker emphasized the urgency of community support: “We want to see no one go hungry, but if we can’t get it out here and let people know that, we have to purchase food personally. It’s not donated to us, and we need your help.”
How to help
Help Inc. Food Pantry accepts monetary and food donations through its website and at its Elk City location. Residents are encouraged to contribute to keep the pantry’s shelves stocked and to support the families relying on this essential service.
With the combined pressures of stricter SNAP rules and reduced charitable giving, the pantry’s call for assistance underscores the broader challenge facing many rural Oklahoma communities: ensuring that families have reliable access to nutritious food despite policy shifts and economic uncertainty.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
