Ciara Robinson-Peoples of Buffalo is a recipient of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and is picking up a few additional groceries from her local Salvation Army food pantry.

She's also a mom of three, two boys and a girl, ages 5, 4 and 1.

"Their appetite is amazing and huge. This pantry, definitely a blessing," said Robinson-Peoples.

She is one of millions across the state no longer receiving SNAP's emergency allotment benefit of about $200 that expired the end of February.

When March first rolled around, she knew she'd have to make a few adjustments.

"Downsized my proportions a little but like I had to like re-categorize everything how I usually would do, and the certain amounts I would grab," said Robinson-Peoples.

Food pantries across the state are preparing for a sharp increase in the number of clients, now that SNAP benefits have decreased to pre-pandemic amounts.

"Overall, we know it's going to be a hardship on the families. We have the food. They don't have it at home," said Lisa Holmes, director, Salvation Army Emergency Family Assistance Program.

Staff is working hard to keep the shelves stocked, relying on partners like Tops and FeedMore Western New York.

"With FeedMore, we are given the opportunity to get more foods," Holmes said. "And FeedMore also offers a section of donated foods. And that's where you have your cereals and things that families would really need that they wouldn't buy because it's like four or five dollars a box."

Inside FeedMore's warehouse, crews are also preparing for the uptick in the number of food orders.

FeedMore leaders say the elimination of the emergency benefit comes on top of a 22% increase in the number of food pantry clients the last six months of 2022, which is likely tied to inflation.

"Now you're getting less money from SNAP. That need is still out there and it's going to you know send more people looking for assistance in other ways," said Collin Bishop, chief communications officer for FeedMore Western New York.

FeedMore also busy educating the community about options like the Farm Market truck.

"Raising awareness about other programs and other ways to meet that need is what we've been trying to do," said Bishop.

Colin stopped by the pantry offering support to Lisa and Ciara, who says she's accepted the fact the emergency allotment is gone.

"But I was very grateful to receive those types of benefits, especially during the pandemic," said Robinson-Peoples.

The pantry is open five days a week.

FeedMore Western New York, and other organizations like it, continue to welcome food and monetary donations, and also encourage communities to organize food drives on their behalf.