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Food banks and pantries were already struggling in the wake of cuts to the federal program this year, but now they are bracing for a tsunami of hungry people if federal food assistance to low-income people is cut off later this week as the federal government shutdown continues.
The rush has started. Central Christian Church’s food pantry in downtown indianapolis On Saturday there was a rush to accommodate almost twice as many people as are usually served in a day.
“There has been an increase in demand. And we know that’s really been happening since the economy took a downturn,” said volunteer Beth White. He said that with the interruption in funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, “It’s going to get even worse for people.”
It’s a concern shared by charitable food providers across the country as states prepare to see their SNAP benefits eliminated for low-income families. SNAP helps 40 million Americans, or about 1 in 8, afford groceries. The debit card they use to purchase groceries at participating stores and farmers markets is typically loaded each month by the federal government.
The Trump administration said Friday it will not use about $5 billion in contingency funds to keep food aid going amid the government shutdown in November, before it expires early next month. The administration also says states that temporarily covered the cost of food assistance benefits next month will not be reimbursed.
“Finally, the well has run dry,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a statement. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued on November 01.”
It is the latest in a series of difficulties imposed on charitable food services, intended to help make up any shortfall in federal food aid – not to completely replace government help.
Donation Demand has surged since the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent surge in inflation, and they were dealt a blow earlier this year when the Trump administration ended programs that provided more than $1 billion to schools and food banks to fight hunger.
Food Pantry Visitors Are Concerned
Reggie Gibbs of Indianapolis recently started receiving SNAP benefits, which means he won’t have to pick up as much money from Central Christian Church’s food pantry when he stops by on Saturdays. But he lives alone, he said, and worries what families with children will do.
“I have to remind families, man,” he said. “What do you think they’ll go through, you know?”
Martina McCollop of Washington, D.C., said she is worried about how she will feed her 10- and 12-year-old children and herself when the $786 she receives in monthly SNAP benefits runs out.
“I have to pay my bills, my rent and get the things my kids need,” she said. “After that, I have no money to eat.”
She’s worried the food pantry won’t be able to meet the sudden demand in a city where there are so many federal workers who aren’t being paid.
In fairfax countyDeb Haynes, executive director of Food for Others in Virginia, where about 80,000 federal employees live, said she doesn’t expect food will run out entirely, largely because of donors.
“If we fail and I need to ask for help, I know I will get help,” Haynes said.
Food banks are feeling increasing demand
According to Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries provide about 1 meal for every 9 people served by SNAP. The food they distribute is obtained through donations from individuals, businesses, and some farmers. They also receive food from U.S. Department of Agriculture programs and sometimes purchase food from contributions and grant funds.
“When you take away SNAP, the implications are devastating,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “I think people are assuming that someone will stop this before it gets too bad. Well, it’s already bad enough. And it’s getting worse.”
Some distributors are already seeing surprisingly low food supplies. George Matysik, executive director of the Share Food Program in the Philadelphia area, said the state government budget impasse has already cut funding for his program.
“I’ve been here seven years,” Matysic said. “I’ve never seen our warehouses as empty as they are right now.”
States are scrambling to fill wherever possible
New York Government. Kathy Hochul She said she is fast-tracking $30 million in emergency food assistance funding “to help keep food pantries stocked,” and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham He said his state would accelerate the $8 million allocated for food banks.
Officials in Louisiana, Vermont and Virginia said last week they would try to continue providing food aid to recipients in their states even if the federal program is halted.
Other states are not in a position to provide much help, especially if they will not be reimbursed by the federal government. Officials in Arkansas, for example, are telling recipients to find food pantries, or other charitable groups — even friends and family — for help.
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AP writers Jonelle Alecia in Los Angeles, Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, and video journalists Obed Lammie in Indianapolis and Mike Householder in Detroit contributed to this report.