Need growing as SNAP Benefits set to expire Saturday

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — What began as a small community effort ten years ago has grown into a critical lifeline for hundreds of local families.

The Bay Chapel Food Pantry, run out of two shipping containers in the parking lot of First Presbyterian Church of Tampa Bay, is now serving record numbers of people each week.

What You Need To Know • Bay Chapel Food Pantry is preparing for SNAP Benefits to expire on Saturday • The need was growing weeks before the shutdown happened • Bay Chapel Food Pantry expects to help at least 600 people this Saturday • To help, visit www.baychapelfoodpantry.org

“Six months ago, we were at 340,” said pantry director Lee Schielka. “Then it started spiking — 400, 395, 421, 495 — and then last Saturday, we hit what the volunteers called a world record: 54