By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

For the 42 million American citizens who depend on the federal government’s help with food assistance – nearly 30,000 of whom live in Chester County - the news hit like a tidal wave of extreme panic.

In the wake of the federal government’s most recent shutdown, those relying on payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for their groceries and other household goods faced a halt in their benefits effective Nov. 1. Immediately, Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz and Eric Roe called for local communities throughout the county to galvanize in a unified call to action: Residents, businesses, and organizations able to give were encouraged to donate food or make financial contributions to local food programs. 

How long the shutdown and subsequently, the freeze on SNAP payments would last was anyone’s guess, but as the days dragged on, courts ruled that withholding SNAP benefits was unlawful and prompted agencies like the USDA to comply with orders to restore funding. Meanwhile, at county food providers like Kennett Area Community Service (KACS), staffers and volunteers addressed the best measures to get food into the hands of low-income families and vulnerable households. 

With only a few social media posts alerting the local community to the need for more donations, their response was immediate and slightly overwhelming. Within days of the shutdown, Cedar Street in Kennett Square – where KACS is located – became a log jam of vehicles transporting cartons of rice, dried beans, cereal, canned goods, and providing monetary contributions to the Food Cupboard. To accommodate the crush of donations, KACS added additional volunteer shifts to help sort the materials. The agency is also storing its overflow on the lower level of the New Garden Township Building. 

“It was exciting to see the community response, because it gave us the peace of mind of knowing that we would have the resources that we would need,” said KACS Food Cupboard Director Loren Lynch, who with the help of volunteers and other staffers provide distribution of food and household items to 3,500 people a month. “I knew that I would not have to scramble to the grocery store or run out of food over the holidays.

“KACS has been here for 70 years and become a fixture in southern Chester County, and when people saw that food insecurity would be an issue, they knew right away where to go.”

Record-setting month

For the one-month period of October 15 to November 15, KACS received 42,500 pounds of food donations, twice the weight of what it received during that same time period in 2024.

“The news that SNAP benefit payments would be downsized was so prevalent, and each media source was telling their readers and viewers to offer their time, their money and contributions of household items,” KACS CEO Julie Bensen said. “We immediately started to get significantly more phone calls asking how they could help. We saw an influx of people wanting to volunteer at the Food Cupboard. We heard from people who called asking us how they could begin a local food drive. We also saw an increase in financial donations.” 

As KACS gears up toward its Thanksgiving and Christmas distribution period – which will ensure that 935 families and seniors will receive groceries for their holiday meals, including chicken, turkey and pork from local partners - there are no signs that the number of community donations are decreasing. During the weekend of November 15-16, KACS saw the largest number of donations it had ever received over a weekend

‘We are honored to be a part of a community that cares so much for others’

In a year of great transition – the naming of Bensen as its new CEO and taking steps to move the agency to a new location – KACS continues to cling to its principal mission of connecting its neighbors in need with food, shelter and a path forward. The recent record number of contributions to its Food Cupboard reflects that dedication, Bensen said.

“I think what we have witnessed over the last four weeks – the generosity of this community - demonstrates how much support there is from everyone to support their neighbors,” she said. “Without any major advocacy or asks directly from KACS, the people saw the need, connected that need to people down the street and reached out to us. It is an honor to be a part of this team knowing that there is so much respect for and belief in what we do, and who we’re doing it for. “We are honored to be a part of a community that cares so much about others.”

“We live in a community that recognizes need,” said KACS’ Communications & Engagement Director Kecia Crowl. “As much as you never want to see anyone go hungry or even become scared that they won’t get the food because benefits are not coming through, our community’s response is evidence that they recognize that greater need. I just hope that those for whom we have received recent attention recognize that come January, that this need will still be there.”

Chester County residents who need food assistance can reach Kennett Area Community Service at (610) 925-3556, or visit www.kacsimpact.org, or access the Chester County Food Bank’s website at www.chestercountyfoodbank.org. 

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].