What SNAP Really Means—Stories from Our Community

Second Harvest
Jun 18
3 min read

Updated: Aug 28

Dignity. Stability. Hope. What SNAP Means for Our Neighbors.

When people hear “SNAP,” they often think of statistics or policy debates. But for us at Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, SNAP is something deeply personal.

It’s a mother navigating a medical crisis. It’s a father trying to care for his child while recovering from an accident. It’s a senior working part-time just to keep the lights on.

SNAP is not just a program—it’s a path forward.

Every day, our Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Outreach Coordinators walk alongside neighbors facing hardship. These stories, shared by our team, are a glimpse into what it means to help someone through their hardest moment with compassion and practical support.

When Life Changes Overnight

One of our Outreach Coordinators recently worked with a young woman whose life turned upside down after a cancer diagnosis. A self-employed business owner, she had to stop working to focus on treatment—losing both her income and stability.

Overwhelmed and unsure where to turn, she filled out our online SNAP interest form, thinking no one would see it. When our coordinator called to offer support, she broke down in tears.

With help, she completed her SNAP application. While waiting for approval, she also received a week’s worth of nutritious food from one of our community partners. That food, and that call, helped carry her through.

A Family Interrupted—and Uplifted

Another family reached out after the father—previously the breadwinner—suffered a sudden stroke. With three young children at home, the mother was trying to hold everything together while also caring for her husband. She was exhausted and scared.

Being able to apply for SNAP from home, during a quiet moment while the kids napped, gave her a sense of relief she hadn’t felt in weeks. She said she was going to tape our number to the refrigerator “so I always know who to call.”

Our team didn’t stop there. We helped connect the family with other resources—food, housing support, and utility assistance—because we know that being able to afford and access for is just one aspect of family stability.

Helping a Father Heal and Provide

When a man in his 30s was struck by a car while biking to work, he was left injured and unable to provide for himself or his child during shared custody visits. He reached out for help—not just for himself, but to make sure his child could still eat well when they were together.

Our coordinator helped him apply for SNAP and begin to rebuild. Because food isn’t just sustenance—it’s part of what makes a home feel whole, especially when everything else feels uncertain.

For Seniors Like Luke, It’s About More Than Food

Luke is a senior who retired after a lifetime of hard work—but like many, Social Security wasn’t enough to cover rising costs. He picked up part-time work and still struggled to make ends meet.

When Luke reached out, he was behind on utility bills and running low on food. Our Outreach Coordinator helped him apply for SNAP and connected him to local partners for immediate help. What stayed with her most? When Luke said, “You didn’t just see me as someone in need. You treated me like a whole person.”

This Is What Dignity Looks Like

SNAP is more than a policy—it’s a promise. That we will not let our neighbors face hunger alone. That we will meet them with support, not shame. That we will walk alongside them with dignity and compassion.

The number of people requesting food assistance from our network has doubled from just three years ago and the largest cuts to SNAP and Medicaid in history recently signed into law. Now is the time to come together and meet this moment with action.