Guilford County Mobilizes to Aid Residents If November SNAP Stops

Guilford County officials convened an emergency meeting to prepare for a potential lapse in November SNAP benefits that could result from recent federal funding and administration actions. With tens of thousands of households in the county receiving SNAP, local leaders are moving quickly to shore up emergency food access and community supports through a coordinated One Guilford supporting pantries plan.

The initiative aligns county government, Second Harvest Food Bank and a network of local pantries to expand distribution capacity, share up to date lists of resources, and increase volunteer and donation drives across the county. Officials stressed that residents should manage existing EBT balances carefully while the community mobilizes alternative food options and assistance channels.

Local partners are focusing on three immediate priorities. The first is to expand emergency food availability at pantries and distribution sites so families facing a gap in benefits have places to turn. The second is to centralize and circulate resource lists so residents can quickly locate pantries, meal programs and other aid. The third is to boost volunteer recruitment and donation efforts to meet a surge in demand that pantry operators and the food bank have reported recently.

County leaders emphasized the scale of the possible impact. Guilford is among North Carolina's largest SNAP recipient counties, with tens of thousands of households dependent on monthly EBT benefits for groceries and basic nutrition. Second Harvest and local pantry representatives have reported sharp recent increases in demand and call volumes, underscoring how quickly local systems could be strained if EBT access is disrupted.

Officials also urged residents to use available EBT funds prudently and to consult local resource lists and hotlines for real time guidance on pantry hours and distribution points. The county plans to publish updated information through its public channels and to work with community partners to keep those resources current as the situation evolves.

The potential suspension arises from actions at the federal level affecting program funding and administration. While those decisions are beyond the county's control, Guilford leaders framed the One Guilford supporting pantries plan as a locally driven buffer designed to reduce harm and prevent gaps in nutrition for vulnerable residents.

Updated Oct. 31, 2025, the county response seeks to balance immediate relief with longer term coordination. Organizers say sustained donations, volunteer support and community awareness will be critical if SNAP benefits are not delivered in November. The county encourages residents in need to seek assistance through local pantries and county hotlines and asks community members who can help to consider donating or volunteering to support the expanded food access effort.