LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville food pantry and meal site near downtown says it is seeing a significant increase in the number of families seeking help, with lines stretching out the door Tuesday morning.
St. Vincent de Paul’s twice-weekly food pantry was as busy as it has been in years, according to people there. Robert Smith stood in line for the better part of an hour as the line nearly reached Jackson Street when the pantry opened.
“I ain’t never seen it this crowded,” one person in line said.
Tony Nochim with St. Vincent de Paul said they’ve seen demand increase over the months but was still surprised by the crowd Tuesday morning.
“That line this morning at 9 a.m. just blew me away,” Nochim said. “I sent a text message to our CEO and executive director Jennifer Clark and her jaw dropped. It’s just busy today.”
Nochim said St. Vincent de Paul has seen a 40% increase in foot traffic at its pantry. On Tuesday alone, 150 shoppers came through the line. Andre Thomas, who was picking up food for himself and another family, said the pantry was more crowded than usual.
“I’ve been over here for two years, and this is as packed as I’ve ever seen it,” Thomas said.
Frances Pumphrey said she planned to wait and return Thursday because of the long line.
“Everybody is in need and so, I mean, and they are cutting the food stamps and everything,” Pumphrey said. “So, everybody is just kind of hurting.” Pumphrey said she would “put on a pot of beans or something and make do until Thursday.”
This week, Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, reported that more than 10,000 residents have been cut from SNAP benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture ranks Kentucky as the second-highest food-insecure state in the country. The St. Vincent de Paul pantry is open to Louisville residents every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 a.m.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story said St. Vincent de Paul saw a 40% increase in foot traffic at its pantry and daily meal service. The increase was only at its pantry. The error has been corrected. (Aug. 12, 2026)
