With current economic uncertainty, food pantries across the country are seeing record demand — and taking steps to stay safe while serving more people. To better understand the challenges and risks nonprofits face, we spoke with Ellen Simon, executive director of Fondy Food Pantry, and Sarah Veader, assistant vice president of risk control at Church Mutual, about operational pressures, volunteer management and safety concerns.
Key takeaways
- Holiday demand is increasing: Cold weather, economic uncertainty and changes to SNAP benefits are driving higher need across food banks and pantries.
- Safety risks are rising: Higher foot traffic, volunteer activity and perishable donations bring physical, logistical and cyber risks.
- Simple precautions can limit disruptions: Volunteer training, clear workflows and basic cybersecurity steps can help organizations fulfill their mission safely.
SNAP uncertainty drives surge in food aid demand
Uncertainty around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), paired with rising living costs, has intensified demand for food aid in the United States. More than 50 million people rely on food banks and pantries for assistance, according to Feeding America.
“The need is extreme right now for many people in our communities,” Veader said. “There’s greater demand for support from food pantries and those offering aid. Ensuring they’re prepared is going to be critical this season. In my community, there was a line of cars from the place of distribution all the way to the highway.”
Simon echoed that with a firsthand account from Fondy Food Pantry. “These last two weeks, we served about 1,000 to 1,100 people through our walk-in pantry,” she said. “Last year, that number was about 700. It’s been a huge increase.”
Holiday pressures and preparedness
In addition to SNAP uncertainty, the holiday season brings an annual surge in food aid demand. Combined with rising energy costs, limited seasonal work and economic uncertainty, these factors are heightening stress for nonprofit operations.
“There are a lot of factors. We’ve been seeing a huge surge in demand here at the pantry,” Simon said. “With increased demand, we’re constantly adjusting how we manage inventory — key items like milk, eggs, proteins and produce — and the flow of people coming through the pantry.”
Veader highlighted the importance of planning. “Nonprofits are doing wonderful work at a fast pace,” she said. “Right now, it’s important to pause for a moment and look at your operations and logistics. Review your controls and identify potential gaps. It doesn’t have to be overcomplicated. There are a lot of resources available through your insurance carrier or broker. Lean on them.”
Heightened guest traffic, limited facility space and good housekeeping
Increased activity brings both opportunities and risks. More volunteers, donations and guest interactions can create potential hazards, especially in smaller spaces.
“Operationally, we needed to figure out how to best get people in and out of the parking lot safely and how to streamline our flow inside the pantry to accommodate all the people needing assistance,” Simon said. “We’re a choice pantry, so people select their own food — like going to a grocery store. That requires careful organization to avoid crowding and to make sure we don’t have too many people in the pantry at one time.”
Veader emphasized that simple housekeeping practices can mitigate many hazards for both guests and volunteers. “Slip and fall incidents, lifting and material handling, and congested aisles are common exposures,” she said. “Using tables at waist height so people aren’t bending and lifting repetitively can help. Are hand trucks available to move heavy items, for example? Those things can go a long way to prevent accidents.”
Home delivery and volunteer driving risks
As food pantries expand services to include home deliveries, transportation risks emerge with each new driver behind the wheel.
“We also do home deliveries to our neighbors who are homebound or unable to make it to the pantry,” Simon said. “We’ve seen an increase from 25 deliveries a week to about 50 now.”
Veader said nonprofits should plan for those risks just as they would any operational change. “When organizations offer home deliveries, it’s important to consider who they ask to transport items,” she said. “A good rule of thumb is to review driving records and make sure volunteers understand the importance of vehicle safety so food reaches those who need it.”
Cybersecurity and donation data
Not all risks are physical. Digital threats are growing, too. Nonprofits must stay vigilant about cybersecurity risks. Many collect personal information from donors and volunteers, making them potential targets for cyber threats.
“Maintaining strong controls is vital,” Veader said. “Nonprofits don’t necessarily need a large cybersecurity team. A great first step is raising awareness among frontline staff. From a technology standpoint, it’s a matter of keeping software up to date, maintaining strong password requirements, securing Wi-Fi and conducting security audits.”
Simon shared a similar focus. “We’re committed to being excellent stewards of both the monetary donations we receive and the food that comes in,” she said.
New volunteers, training and food safety
The influx of volunteers has been a welcome development at Fondy Food Pantry, but it requires careful coordination.
“After a newspaper article, we received 10 new volunteer applications the next day,” Simon said. “We have a volunteer coordinator who ensures each person is assigned a role suited to their abilities, whether that’s sorting donations or assisting in the walk-in pantry.”
That generosity has also led to increased donations. “People have been so generous,” she added. “We’re making sure items are being sorted by expiration date through 2027.”
Veader emphasized the importance of balancing volunteer enthusiasm with proper training. “For those handling food, it’s important to make sure you have first-in, first-out controls, are tracking expiration dates and are monitoring temperature controls and sanitation,” she said.
The takeaway: Safety is key to delivering food to those in need
Rising demand for food aid underscores the vital role nonprofits play in their communities. By combining thoughtful risk management, clear planning and strong volunteer coordination, organizations can safely expand their capacity to serve those in need.
Having that peace of mind can allow organizations to focus their attention where it’s most needed — in the community.
“Having that support [from Church Mutual] is really important,” Simon said. “Knowing our volunteers, our neighbors, our building, our food truck that goes out to pick up items all the time… that we're protected… that gives us peace of mind. The support lets us put our energy into the places where we need to, which is getting food and hope to families that need it.”
