Two volunteers ring the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle during their bell ringing fundraiser held last summer. The Salvation Army is continuing to ask for volunteers as they see a big increase in demand from economic factors. P-J file photo

The Salvation Army normally sees an increase in demand at their food pantry as the holiday season approaches.

This year will be no different – but there are so many more factors at play that Salvation Army officials are pretty concerned about just how big an increase in demand they’ll see.

Salvation Army Major John Merchant attributed this increase to both the increase in food prices along with the cutting of SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown. The SNAP benefits, he said, are a major part of the increase, adding that the Salvation Army normally sees about 1,200 people come into the food pantry a month, but during October it was 1,300. People have been coming to get food for their pets as well, as they have discovered the Salvation Army’s pet food pantry during this time too.

“It is a big concern,” Merchant said. “On the first day of November we saw 21 new houses with 37 people from those houses come in one day. We’re glad the SNAP benefits are opening back up, but the increase in food prices means this will likely continue.”

Additionally, Merchant said once money from the Red Kettle campaign comes in, the Salvation Army relies on those funds to make sure they can have the necessary items available for people to continue to meet the demand.

Traditionally, leading up to the holiday season, over the last four months Merchant said the Salvation Army has been stocking up on specific food items such as canned goods, stuffing and mashed potatoes to put aside for their Christmas baskets. With this increase in demand they have already had to dip into some of the food put aside to help continue to give people balanced meals. Another factor currently hurting the food pantry is the cuts the USDA made earlier this year to FeedMore WNY, which has made it harder for the Salvation Army to get things like meats, Merchant said, and made things overall more difficult. Merchant said these difficulties and higher numbers are likely to continue.

“Currently, we are expecting to see this increase continue,” Merchant said. “Even with SNAP benefits returning we have people that have not used the pantry before that came I think in a panic when they weren’t sure if they were going to get their benefits. Now that they know more about the pantry we expect the numbers will continue to be higher than previous years.”

The Salvation Army is asking for help from the community during this time, specifically in the form of Red Kettle volunteers. Merchant said people can also host food drives, or bring monetary donations to their location at 83 South Main Street, or volunteer in the pantry. They are also down one driver that they have to help pick up items during the holiday season at places such as Wegmans or Tops that provide them bread and vegetables, and are in need of someone to help bring those items back to their location. All of the money from Red Kettle drives or any donations stay and are used locally.

“We are here to help anyone who is struggling during this time if it is in our power to do so,” Merchant said. “We need the resources and help to do that. Without the community we couldn’t do what we do, and we appreciate the support the community has always given us throughout the years. We want to thank them for helping those less fortunate in the community.”

For more information or to volunteer, call the Salvation Army at 716-664-4108, or visit easternusa.salvationarmy.org/empire/jamestown/.