SNAP suspension heavily impacting demand for Coachella Valley Rescue Mission food distribution

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is reaching out to the community for help as they say the government shutdown and the Administration's decision to suspend the SNAP food stamp program has heavily impacted their programs. 

The SNAP suspension went into effect Nov. 1 amid CVRM saying it's receiving an increase in demand from local "food insecure" families, according to a release.

The SNAP suspension means families debit cards for grocery stores provided by the federal government are no longer receiving funds. This is driving families to free distribution centers like CVRM, but with already low supplies from the the government shutdown, supplies are low.

CVRM said their food pantry is already "severely depleted" according to a release, and they had to turn away 20 people wanting food boxes last week, before the suspension went into effect. 

CVRM distributes around 175 boxes of food to local families every Wednesday and say they are in "serious need" of food donations.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from CVRM officials about the increasing food demand and their next steps.