Local food pantry braces for increased lines as food prices rise

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Local food pantries are seeing an increase in demand and higher food prices, during a time when potential cuts on food assistance for low-income families could be in the future.

The House budget bill currently being debated in Congress would reduce spending on programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, by nearly $286 billion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Because of these potential cuts, local food pantries like Care and Share Food Pantry are bracing for longer lines and fewer donations.

The CEO and president of Care and Share told 11 News they are expecting people who have never been in need of food before to begin coming to the food pantry.

“And that scares me because there’s no magic lever that I can pull to get more food,” Springer said, “so the reality I think we face is we’re gonna have less food in the charitable food system in Colorado, and in the country, and more people that need it.”

The bill is currently being discussed in the Senate, but regardless of the outcome, Springer said they are always accepting donations and volunteers.

Copyright 2025 KKTV. All rights reserved.