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A person carries a box of donated food into the warehouse at the Never Alone food pantry in Woodstock, Ga., Nov. 4, 2025.
Credit: Russell Rain Eldridge/GPB News
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A rise in food insecurity is seen in Woodstock. 'The need has grown as our city has grown'
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LISTEN: A rise in food insecurity began in many communities even before the federal government shutdown began. One food pantry in Cherokee County says the demand has grown and shows no signs of slowing. GPB’s Ellen Eldridge has more.
A rise in food insecurity began in many communities north of Atlanta even before the federal government shutdown began. One food pantry in Cherokee County says the demand has grown since 2012 and shows no signs of slowing.
The Never Alone food pantry serves an average of 30 to 40 people a day, six days a week, and has since the start of the shutdown.
Catrina Bingham has worked with the pantry in Woodstock for almost a decade. She says the loss of food benefits through SNAP is only making things worse.
"If we served 12 families a day, it was like, exhausting," Bingham said Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. "And we have over doubled that. The need has grown as our city has grown. You'd be surprised in an area like Woodstock where people are generally considered an affluent area, people still have food insecurity."
Lori Boden has been building relationships in the community for a year and a half.
"What I like best is the people," she said.
Boden and the team meet people where they are, physically and nutritionally, on paths not normally crossed. Hearing about their hardships isn't easy, but the stories are amazing and heartwarming.
Her favorite part of helping people with food insecurity is, "Knowing that we are doing what the Lord is asking all of us to do and that is to serve others."
Volunteers are also offering remote distribution for members of the community who can’t get to the pantry.
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