After weeks of uncertainty during the month-long federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits are flowing again — but not before leaving deep anxiety across Indiana’s food pantries, which were already stretched thin.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides monthly support averaging about $190 per person to more than 42 million Americans, including roughly 8% of Indiana residents. During the shutdown, families were warned SNAP funding could run out, and even with temporary federal fixes now in place, those fears haven’t faded.

At Pantry 279 in Ellettsville, the impact has been immediate.

The pantry typically serves more than 1,800 families each month — about 9,000 people across southern Indiana. But in the weeks of the shutdown, the numbers surged. Staff say they now see 500 to 700 people a day.

“We’re already seeing the effects,” Pantry Executive Director Cindy Chaves said. “Any little panicky situation can put families behind.”

Pantry 279 relies heavily on federal and regional support. Chaves said 55% of its food comes from Hoosier Hills Food Bank, and 20% of the pantry’s stock used to come from Federal TEFAP. But with the supplies being cut, the pantry gets almost a third of what it used to be.

Pantry 279 is now relying heavily on donations from the region.

Chaves says the hardest-hit right now are moms struggling to buy formula and seniors living on fixed incomes. At Pantry 279, senior citizens make up 18% of those served. Only 2% of clients are unemployed —most are working families who simply can’t keep up with rising costs, Chaves said.

Although judges ordered the USDA to tap more than $5 billion in contingency funds to keep SNAP afloat during the shutdown, Indiana families were still expecting reductions or delays in November as the federal system resets.

That means even more people may soon still turn to local food pantries.

At Pantry 279, lines already wind out the door. Shoppers said they were preparing for the worst — deciding whether they’ll pay bills or put food on the table if SNAP assistance is delayed or cut in the future.

Despite the pressure, Chaves says the pantry, run almost entirely by volunteers, is commited to staying open.

She said her biggest fear is that deeper SNAP cuts could force food banks like hers to shut down. But she insists the community won’t let that happen.

“No one should ever feel ashamed to ask for help,” she said. “We’ll get through this. We always do.”