SNAP food emergency funds are ending at the end of February after nearly three years of providing families with additional funds for food. 

This means SNAP households will receive only their normal allotments beginning March 2023 without the additional emergency allotment those households were receiving. 

In March 2020 the federal government allowed states to request emergency funds for families already receiving SNAP food benefits. 

The change is likely to force families to try and stretch their food budget, just as local food banks are just coming off major supply chain shortages.

Second Harvest Food Bank officials say they expect to see an increase of people but are prepared to provide additional food for tri-county families in need. 

The Mahoning County Job and Family Services says they plan to help those in need by referring them to community agencies to help with food insecurity. 

Reports show nearly 24,000 households in Mahoning County, 14% of Columbiana's population and 23% of Trumbull's make up SNAP participants.