Households in Illinois receiving SNAP food benefits will see them decrease this month as a pandemic-era policy giving families additional benefits comes to an end.

Low-income Latino households are expected to be hit hard, as inflation and food prices remain high.

“We’re hearing from people who call our hotline and that we see out in the community that they’re really concerned,” said Claudia Rodriguez Roman, director of public benefits outreach at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “These are people that are already struggling to put food on the table.”

Nearly 100,000 households (about 35% of households) in predominantly Latino neighborhoods participated in SNAP each month in the 2022 fiscal year, according to an analysis by the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

The average person will receive about $90 less in SNAP benefits per month, according to a Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report.

Dr. Evelyn Figueroa, director of the Pilsen Food Pantry, which is a partner agency with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, said she is anticipating more demand at the pantry and is unsure whether it will be able to meet the demand.

“Historically, this part of Pilsen doesn’t have a lot of food pantries,” Figueroa said. “We’re one of four food pantries in Pilsen, and most food pantries are not open every day, so it’s very restrictive.”

The arrival of migrants bused from Texas has also led community food organizations like the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Pilsen Food Pantry to step up to offer support and resources.

Information on public assistance programs and how you can volunteer, donate or find your local food pantry can be found in both English and Spanish.