Statement performance

2024 all over again?

Many people are unsure whether their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will be replenished on Saturday.

With so much uncertainty, local food organizations are preparing for an influx of need throughout communities.

Senior citizens face rising food insecurity

One of the most vulnerable groups — and a significant portion of SNAP recipients — is senior citizens.

The Pantry of Broward County and Meals on Wheels South Florida told CBS News Miami they are being inundated with calls from elderly people who are terrified of what’s to come.

“We are hearing horror stories on a daily basis of folks just cannot make ends meet,” said Wendy Bourgault, executive director of Meals on Wheels South Florida.

Bourgault said that at the beginning of the week, her Broward County office was swamped with calls from people whose SNAP benefits would be ending.

She said one morning, they were hit with 20 calls looking for help with food.

“They have to choose, ‘Do I run electricity? Do I go to the doctor? Do I buy food?’” said Bourgault.

New relief program targets homebound seniors

After noticing a rise in the cry for help, Meals on Wheels South Florida established the Senior SNAP Relief Program.

“Over 60, homebound, and in need who have lost their SNAP benefits, we will kick in immediately two weeks’ worth of food. Maybe by then it will be ended. If it isn’t, you’ll immediately get another two weeks,” said Bourgault.

Empty shelf after empty shelf is becoming a trend at the Pantry of Broward County.

Pantry prepares for disaster-level demand

With the ending of SNAP benefits, staff said they are preparing for a natural disaster, like it’s a hurricane.

“It’s all hands on deck for the staff. It’s trying to get as many volunteers in as possible,” said Warren Lubow, chief operating officer of the Pantry of Broward County.

Lubow said the phones have been nonstop with calls from seniors seeking help.

Ninety percent of their clients receive SNAP.

“You take away those SNAP benefits — that’s less money in their pockets for rent, for food. For electric bills, water bills,” said Lubow.

Already serving 600 seniors across Broward County, the pantry is trying its hardest to serve everyone.

“We have been getting a lot more requests for new clients. We have a waitlist of over 150 people,” said Lubow.

Volunteers urgently needed to meet demand

Both organizations say there’s a great need for volunteers during this time.

Inter Miami CF (19-7-8, second in the Eastern Conference during the regular season) vs. Nashville SC (16-12-6, sixth in the Conference during the regular season)

Nashville, Tennessee; Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Inter Miami CF +144, Nashville SC +153; over/under is 3.5 goals

BOTTOM LINE: Inter Miami looks for its 20th win of the season when it faces Nashville.

Nashville is 11-3-3 at home. Nashville ranks fifth in the Western Conference with 58 goals led by Sam Surridge with 23.

Miami is 8-4-5 in road games. Miami has a 14-2-2 record in games it scores three or more goals.

The matchup Saturday is the fourth meeting this season between the two teams. Miami won the last game 3-1.

TOP PERFORMERS: Surridge has 23 goals and three assists for Nashville. Hany Mukhtar has six goals and four assists over the last 10 games.

Lionel Messi has 31 goals and 16 assists for Miami. Tadeo Allende has scored five goals over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Nashville: 2-7-1, averaging 1.7 goals, 5.0 shots on goal and 5.7 corner kicks per game while allowing 2.2 goals per game.

Miami: 7-2-1, averaging 3.0 goals, 7.2 shots on goal and 4.8 corner kicks per game while allowing 1.6 goals per game.

NOT EXPECTED TO PLAY: Nashville: Wyatt Meyer (injured), Matthew Corcoran (injured), Julian Gaines (injured), Jonathan Perez (injured), Ahmed Qasem (injured), Taylor Washington (injured).

Miami: David Ruiz (injured), Obando (injured).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.