Hunger Is Growing in Communities

July 3, 2026 — Food Pantries Are Facing Growing Need

Vanessa opens the doors of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish’s basement twice a month, where over 100 people are served.

She organizes and distributes food, such as perishables, fruit and vegetables, and hygiene products. But lately, the crowd has been getting bigger, and funds have been shrinking.

Food pantries across the country are facing growing challenges as grant funding continues to shrink and federal SNAP (EBT) benefit cuts leave more families struggling to put food on the table. Millions of Americans have lost or seen reductions in their SNAP benefits as states implement stricter federal requirements. According to CBS Chicago, Illinois alone cut SNAP benefits for approximately 150,000 residents as the state moved aggressively to enforce the new federal guidelines.

For many families and individuals living paycheck to paycheck, these cuts have had devastating effects. Households that once relied on SNAP benefits to help cover groceries are now turning to local food pantries for assistance. Many are being forced to choose between paying rent, purchasing medication, or buying enough food to feed themselves and their families.

OLG is just one of the many food pantries supported through our outreach efforts. We partner with food pantries and community programs across the country that are working every day to ensure families, seniors, veterans, and children do not go hungry.

We encourage those able to support this vital mission. Donations of nonperishable food items, hygiene products, and household essentials can make an immediate difference for local families in need.

Whether you choose to support Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish or another food pantry in your own community, every donation matters. Together, we can live out our mission of serving those in need