Regional Interfaith Association reports surge in need after SNAP disruption, outlines 'hunger free holidays' distribution

Denise Walton, representing the Regional Interfaith Association (RIFA), told hosts the agency has experienced a notable increase in clients after recent SNAP service disruptions and that the community has rallied with volunteers and donations to meet demand.

"We've seen some fear in some faces," Walton said, describing long lines and standing-room-only moments at RIFA. She said RIFA’s roughly 20 staff members are coordinating volunteers and distributions and that, based on a web update she viewed before the interview, "cards should be reinstated in the next few days." Walton cautioned that she was reporting what she had seen online and said social workers might have more complete technical details about benefit caps or merchant-side impacts.

Walton outlined RIFA's holiday programs: a "hunger free holidays" bag that contains a complete holiday meal (ham or turkey, sides, dessert and beverages) and distribution logistics that rely heavily on community donations and volunteer packers. She also said RIFA runs a weeklong online auction to support operations and pointed listeners to rifa(jackson).org and RIFA’s Facebook auction page for details.

Walton said the agency’s regular-year distribution is large — she referenced that "around 600,000 meals go out in a year's time in a standard year" — and that the recent SNAP disruption amplified near-term needs. She encouraged people who want to help to check RIFA’s website and social media for up-to-date volunteer and donation instructions.