KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As everyone heads to the grocery store, state leaders are asking you to buy only what you need.
People in food assistance programs will receive their stipends on April 1, and can only buy certain popular items at the grocery store.
SNAP benefits help those with low income get food and WIC benefits do the same for pregnant women, new moms and young children.
"The WIC benefits are being managed by phone at this time with our WIC staff, there's not an interruption in those services at this time," said Charity Menefee, Director of Communicable and Environmental Disease and Emergency Preparedness for the Knox County Health Department.
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People receive that money on the first of every month, meaning an important grocery trip is coming up for millions of Americans with food insecurity.
There are measures in place to make sure people get the food they need, but that becomes harder when so many people resort to panic buying.
Frequent trips to the store don't help, either.
"We don't want to buy too much and stockpile so people can't get what's needed," said Menefee.
Work to avoid foods labeled "WIC" on the price tag on the shelf. That's usually store brand products.
Chances are if you go in your pantry right now you've got the food you need to make at least a few more meals before going back to the store.
Most people have things like rice, beans, pasta and peanut butter sitting in their pantries. That box of Hamburger Helper you bought two years ago? It's still good.
Maybe you're not in the mood to eat a PB&J sandwich, but think of those who don't have an option.
This could keep you from going to the store for non-essential items.
It helps those who truly need food, and helps stop the spread of coronavirus by spending less time out in public.