Hunger grips a rural community hit by Trump’s cuts

Key Points:

• Food pantries in Appalachia, like the one run by Bill Likens in Dunlow, West Virginia, are facing unprecedented challenges due to reduced federal food supplies and increased demand driven by economic hardships and policy changes.
• Cuts to USDA food distribution programs and stricter work requirements for food stamp eligibility have led to millions losing benefits, while food banks report receiving less food and funding despite more people seeking assistance.
• Rising gas prices and economic decline in coal-dependent regions exacerbate food insecurity, forcing food pantries to rely heavily on private donations and less nutritious food items to meet growing needs.
• Community members, including seniors on fixed incomes, express frustration with government policies and the lack of sufficient support, highlighting the critical role local food pantries play in sustaining vulnerable populations.
• Food pantry operators are adapting by sourcing donated and near-expiration food from local stores and running supplemental programs, but they warn that current resources are insufficient to fully address the escalating hunger crisis.