Troy food pantry, community seeing changes amid government shutdown

With the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) having lost much of its funding during the current government shutdown, many families across the country are turning to food banks to help meet their needs. 

In Troy, one pantry is already seeing changes. The Troy Resilience Project (TRP) is a social service organization dedicated to helping those in need. 

Simon Brown

The building for TRP helps support Troy residents in need.

TRP gets food donations from Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, which is a member of the Heart Alabama Food Bank. TRP Executive Director Maggie Doss said the government shutdown has caused an uptick in families needing food. 

“We’ve already seen a huge increase in families coming to access our food pantry,” Doss said. “Yesterday, within the first hour, we cleared out the food pantry.” 

Madelyn Gillis is a mother of three who just lost her SNAP benefits as a result of the shutdown. Despite working a full-time job, Gillis fears she will not be able to feed her seven-month-old daughter. 

“I’m worried that I’m going to run out of formula,” Gillis said. “Usually, I buy a can of formula with my SNAP card, but now I can’t. 

“Even if I go to Walmart and get one of the cheaper cans, it’s still thirty or forty dollars. I’m worried if I’m going to be able to pay the bills this month and buy food.” 

Even though Gillis is worried, she doesn’t want her children to be.  

“I’m trying not to tell them because I don’t want them to worry,” Gillis said. “I’m telling them things like, ‘We can’t afford that right now,’ or, ‘Maybe we’ll get it next time.’ 

“They don’t understand, and I don’t want them to understand, what’s happening right now.” 

Students facing food insecurity can visit the Trojan Pantry in Trojan Village 200. Lauren Cochran is the coordinator of civic engagement and is also over the pantry. 

“The shutdown hasn’t impacted the Trojan Pantry,” Cochran said. “We do anticipate an increase in visits though. 

“We stand ready to support students during the lapse in SNAP benefits.” 

Even though the government shutdown has caused food insecurity for some, Doss is determined to keep mouths fed.  

“It’s very scary,” Doss said. “I don’t know what we’re going to do as an agency to try to combat this. 

“I know that my team is going to do everything that we can together to feed as many families as we can.” 

To donate to TRP, non-perishable food items and toiletries can be dropped off at 401 S. Brundidge Street Troy, AL 36081. Monetary donations can be made at troyresilianceproject.org.