LOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County Community Foundation has announced the distribution of emergency grants totaling $19,000 to local charities that provide food to those in need in Clinton County because of the loss and delay of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, amid the federal government shutdown.

There is “concern and fear” among some families with children and senior citizens because of the delay and loss of SNAP benefits and by reduced services caused by the continued budget impasse in Pennsylvania, now in its fifth month, the Foundation was told.

The Foundation reached out to various agencies – many of them driven by volunteers – asking what they see in terms of the need for increased help to residents because of the loss or delay of state and federal benefits and due to their financial situations.

They all said the need to provide help is growing.

The emergency grants will assist the following local agencies:

— The Lock Haven Salvation Army Food Pantry, $5,000

— The New Love Center Food Bank, $5,000

— Sugar Valley Lions Club Food Pantry, $2,500

— St. Paul’s Church Food Pantry, $2,500

— Renovo Area Council of Churches’ Food Pantry, $2,500

— Lock Haven YMCA Backpack Program, $1,000

— Covenant United Methodist Church Backpack Program, $500

Each of these entities distribute food directly and/or through food pantries or backpack programs to Clinton County residents, including children, families and senior citizens.

Moreover, these organizations “have a proven track record of helping our most vulnerable residents as recipients of Foundation grants over the years,” added Bob Rolley, Foundation outreach coordinator.

The Foundation is able to provide emergency grants because of its generous donors.

“The Foundation is concerned about the impact of delays and/or cuts in the SNAP benefits, especially to at-risk children and families,” said Mark Weaver, Foundation board president.

“We care deeply about the health and well-being of those within Clinton County and want to help! Hopefully these emergency grants will help meet some of the needs and lessen some of the shortages,” he added.

The St. Paul’s Food Pantry, which operates twice a month, year-round and primarily serves Mill Hall, Porter and Lamar Townships, is seeing increased need. Like most food pantries, St. Paul’s “never turns away any family in need of food assistance, regardless of where they live,” said Wayne McCullough, a volunteer at St. Paul’s.

“We registered four new households in October. While it’s difficult to predict how the current sequestration of SNAP benefits will affect our numbers, we anticipate that the need for assistance will continue to grow until that situation is resolved,” McCullough added.

“Even if the number of families we serve remains steady, many of our current clients will likely require more support should their SNAP benefits be reduced or suspended as they are registered as seniors and may heavily rely on assistance. We plan to increase the quantity of food distributed per household to help meet this greater need,” he added.

Holly Beaver, executive director of The New Love Center based in South Avis and serving Clinton and Lycoming Counties, said the center is working to “respond to the escalating food insecurity crisis brought on by reductions and delays in SNAP benefits.”

“In recent weeks, our pantry has experienced a sharp increase in neighbors seeking food assistance, including many families and individuals visiting for the very first time. The reduction in SNAP support has created a ripple effect across our community. Families who were barely getting by are now unable to make ends meet, and we are witnessing the strain in every aspect of daily life. The impact reaches beyond those traditionally in need. Federal employees who are not receiving paychecks have reached out for help, and local mental health organizations have contacted us seeking food assistance for their clients who are struggling to stay stable during this stressful period. These are people who never imagined they would need a food pantry — yet they now find themselves turning to us for hope and sustenance,” Beaver explained.

“Recognizing the urgency, we have already adjusted our operations to ensure no one goes hungry. Beginning Nov. 4 — the first day of distribution for November — we changed our standard operating procedures to serve everyone who walks through our doors, regardless of how many times they need assistance in a month. As the Executive Director, I have also begun personally delivering food directly to neighbors who face transportation barriers, ensuring access for those most isolated or at risk.

“However, the demand we are currently facing has outpaced our existing resources. Since early fall, there has been a 1.5% increase in Clinton County households served in September compared to August, and a 3.54% increase in October compared to September. Without additional support, we are deeply concerned about sustaining this level of response through the holiday season and the colder months ahead,” she added.

In Renovo, where a disproportionately large number of families and individuals receive Medicaid and SNAP benefits, Martha Sykes said the Council of Churches’ Good Neighbor Center Food Pantry sees growing need.

“We have been in existence since 2014. We operate under donations and with a wonderful group of volunteers. On the third Thursday of every month, we are open for the community to come and receive food that consists of enough to provide meals for single adults, small and large families. These meals consist of meat, cereal, vegetables, fruits, eggs, milk and other foods,” she explained.

“On a normal distribution day, we serve up to 70 families and up to 85 on a month with a holiday. It has been difficult with the prices increasing constantly. In the year 2025, we spent over $12,000 on food which we purchase from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank based in Harrisburg. This was a great increase compared to other years. With the current situation, our concern is how we will continue to provide meat with our distributions. Our hope is to get enough donations to buy turkeys and other items for each family to have Thanksgiving dinner,” she added.

And then there is the Salvation Army in Lock Haven, whose food pantry is among the busiest in the county.

Capt. Jaclyn Brewer said the agency has “already seen increased need in our food pantry.”

“In October alone, we had 29 new families, equaling 90 new individuals. We served a total of 236 families in October, making it our highest month this year with the next highest being May. Usually, the highest periods are during the summer or January,” she explained.

“We are hearing concern and fear from clients about providing food for their families. Our pantry is in need of food at this time to keep up with the needs of the community.”

To learn more about how to help the Foundation meet Clinton County’s most pressing needs and promising opportunities, visit the Foundation at www.clintoncountyfoundation.org, or call 570.220.1038.

For further information or any questions, please contact Bob Rolley, Clinton County Community Foundation outreach coordinator, at cccf@clintoncountyfoundation.org, or by calling 570.220.1038.