On November 1st — tomorrow — 42 million individuals, including 16 million kids, will face the termination of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits. This situation is unprecedented and should not be occurring. Here’s a brief overview, and please scroll down for ways to assist your neighbors (we are also matching donations up to $5000)…
Why are individuals facing the loss of their food assistance?
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, federal funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will not be issued on November 1st. In the absence of monthly SNAP benefits, people with limited resources will be compelled to choose between purchasing groceries for their families or covering other necessary expenses, such as rent, heating, and medicine. The detrimental effects are both immediate (hunger, anxiety) and long-lasting (increased burden of chronic health issues, higher healthcare costs, diminished preventative care, etc.).
Is there a contingency plan for situations like this?
YES, there absolutely is. Our tax contributions finance the SNAP program, and we have contingency funds available for government shutdown scenarios. Previous shutdowns have not adversely affected food assistance programs. This is a manufactured crisis created by the current administration. Children and adults will face hunger — experts indicate this could be the worst hunger crisis in the U.S. since the Great Depression — for essentially no justification.
Who is in danger of experiencing hunger?
Close to 42 million Americans — roughly one in eight individuals — depend on SNAP benefits to help procure food. A significant number of these households include children, meaning the interruption of benefits threatens 16 million children with potential hunger. According to the USDA, approximately 39% of SNAP beneficiaries are children, while 20% are seniors and 10% are non-elderly individuals with disabilities. Any of us could easily find ourselves needing this program if our situations were slightly different.
What about funding for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)?
An independent program, known as WIC, differs from state to state. Some states will provide benefits in November; others may not. WIC ensures that low-income parents can obtain food — including baby formula — as well as access to prenatal care, nutritional education, and breastfeeding assistance. Nearly 7 million expectant mothers, new parents, and young children depend on WIC. “Nearly half of all infants born in the U.S. benefit from WIC,” noted the National WIC Association in a press release. “Any federal action that jeopardizes this lifeline must be prevented at all costs.”
Is anyone in the government opposing this situation?
The USDA has contingency funds for SNAP and WIC, but the department stated it will not utilize the estimated $6 billion they possess to maintain these critical programs. Democratic lawmakers are contesting the administration’s decision in court and urging the USDA to activate the contingency funding. Some states are working to enhance food assistance; however, the USDA claims it will not reimburse states that temporarily provide benefits.
What should I do if I’m about to lose my benefits?
You’re not on your own. If you have remaining funds on your EBT debit card, they won’t expire and you can still use them to buy food. You can also contact local and state agencies for information on their own emergency food assistance — NPR has put together a guide with developing details on state-specific responses. You can visit 211.org or call 211 for assistance in finding food resources. Find Help offers a directory of food-aid programs organized by zip code. In NYC, City Harvest’s food map indicates soup kitchens and food pantries currently distributing food at no cost. One Love Community Fridges also maintain community fridges throughout the city. If you regularly utilize WIC, ensure to check if services remain available in your specific state – they might be.
HOW TO HELP
<pIf you are able, please join us in providing essential community care, fulfilling what our government is currently failing to do.
* Contribute to Feeding America or a local food bank. Feeding America is a national organization distributing aid to food banks, and Find Help provides a directory of food-aid programs by zip code. Food banks are already stretched thin to meet community needs, and they may now have to deny assistance to those seeking food. Cash donations are typically the most effective method to contribute, as food banks frequently purchase goods in bulk, at discounted rates and without tax. We are matching readers’ contributions up to $5,000. If you donate to an organization offering food assistance, please forward your receipt, with the subject line “donation,” to [email protected] — thank you very much.
* Drop off food at local food banks or community fridges. You can use Fridge Finder to locate a community fridge in your vicinity. (Community fridges often need cleaning, so if you can, take the time to do that as well.) You can donate baby formula to families in need through the Free Formula Exchange, a nationwide mutual-aid network. In New York, here’s a simple way to drop off food if you wish to do so. You can also volunteer at food pantries or other organizations; here’s one of many sign-up websites.
Here’s advice for donating food directly to food pantries, provided by food pantry volunteers (huge thanks to Erin Boyle and her friend for this information):
1. Many people donate Mac and Cheese in boxes, but it also needs milk and butter, which are difficult to procure from food banks.
2. Boxed milk is a valuable commodity. Kids need it for cereals, which they often receive.
3. Donations of pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles are common.
4. Canned goods should have pop-tops; otherwise, donate a can opener.
5. Oil is a luxury essential for Rice-a-Roni, which they often receive in large quantities.
6. Spices, salt, and pepper are a true gift.
7. Coffee and tea bags are thoughtful gifts.
8. Sugar and flour are considered treats.
9. Fresh produce given by farms and grocery stores is crucial.
10. Tuna and crackers make a great lunch.
11. Hamburger Helper doesn’t go far without ground beef.
12. They receive a lot of peanut butter and jelly, but need sandwich bread.
13. Butter or butter spread is appreciated.
14. Eggs are valuable items!
15. Cake mix and frosting make it possible to create a birthday cake for a child.
16. Dishwashing detergent is costly and always appreciated.
17. Feminine hygiene products are necessities, and women usually express their gratefulness for them.
18. Everyone enjoys Stovetop Stuffing.
* Prepare sandwiches for CHiPS. If you reside in or near New York, make sandwiches for CHiPS, the community meal provider, food pantry, and shelter for mothers with young children in Park Slope, Brooklyn. CHiPS serves around 350 people daily, offering a sandwich along with a hot meal. You can prepare sandwiches at home using this guide (invite friends! engage kids!) and drop them off here. You can also make donations or volunteer for them in other ways here.
* Contact your representatives to encourage them to utilize the contingency funds they already have in place to keep SNAP and WIC operational. A federal judge in Rhode Island issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from halting SNAP benefits; and a federal judge in Massachusetts determined that the suspension is likely illegal. However, it’s not settled yet, particularly since appeals and legal disputes can follow.
Here’s a script adapted from 5 Calls:
Hi, my name is _____ and I’m a constituent from [city, zip]. I’m calling to urge [representative/senator name] to pressure Trump to utilize USDA contingency funds to maintain SNAP benefits for the individuals who receive assistance in our state. Starving people to gain political advantage during a government shutdown is inhumane and leads to unnecessary suffering. Thank you for your time and attention.
Here’s a script adapted from Chop Wood, Carry Water:
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______. I’m reaching out to express my concern that millions of low-income families who rely on SNAP and WIC are facing hunger because Republicans refuse to utilize the contingency funds available to cover SNAP. Republicans must collaborate with Democrats to pass a bill now to ensure that hungry Americans do not lose their nutritional assistance. Thank you.
Thoughts? What else would you contribute? Please share any insights if you have them, and if you require assistance with food aid, kindly email [email protected]; we would be more than happy to help you and your family find a solution. Thank you!
(Photo by One Love Community Fridge.)
Sources: Erin Boyle, NYMag, NYTimes, CNN, 19th News, The Hill, Politico, NPR.)
**Strategies to Assist Millions of Americans Facing Food Assistance Loss**
As millions of Americans encounter the looming threat of losing food assistance, it becomes critical to investigate and implement strategies that can alleviate the effects of this situation. The following strategies seek to deliver both immediate aid and long-term solutions to guarantee food security for those impacted individuals and families.
1. **Bolstering Food Banks and Pantries:**
– **Heightened Funding and Donations:** Urge public and private sectors to amplify funding and donations to food banks and pantries. This can be accomplished through government grants, corporate collaborations, and community fundraising events.
– **Improved Distribution Channels:** Enhance logistics and distribution channels to ensure food reaches underserved areas effectively. Partnering with local businesses and transportation services can streamline delivery systems.
2. **Broadening Eligibility for Assistance Programs:**
– **Policy Amendments:** Advocate for policy modifications to expand eligibility criteria for existing food assistance programs, such as SNAP, to encompass a larger number of individuals and families in need.
– **Temporary Support Measures:** Institute temporary measures to prolong benefits during economic downturns or emergencies, guaranteeing ongoing support for vulnerable populations.
3. **Encouraging Community-Based Solutions:**
– **Community Gardens and Urban Agriculture:** Foster the establishment of community gardens and urban farming projects to elevate local food production and supply fresh produce to neighborhoods.
– **Local Food Cooperatives:** Promote the creation of food cooperatives that enable communities to pool resources and buy food in bulk at lower costs.
4. **Advancing Employment and Training Initiatives:**
– **Job Training and Placement Programs:** Invest in job training and placement services to assist individuals in acquiring skills and obtaining employment, thereby reducing dependence on food assistance.
– **Living Wage Advocacy:** Back policies that ensure a living wage for all workers, allowing them to afford basic necessities, including food.
5. **Educational Programs:**
– **Nutrition Education Initiatives:** Initiate nutrition education programs to educate families on how to optimize their food resources and make healthy, economical choices.
– **Workshops on Financial Literacy:** Provide workshops focused on budgeting and financial management to enable individuals to manage their resources better and alleviate food insecurity.
6. **Utilizing Technology:**
– **Digital Platforms for Resource Access:** Create and promote digital platforms that link individuals with available food resources, assistance programs, and community support services.
– **Data Analysis for Resource Distribution:** Employ data analysis to pinpoint areas with the highest need and allocate resources more efficiently.
7. **Public Awareness and Advocacy Efforts:**
– **Awareness Campaigns:** Launch public awareness initiatives to draw attention to the issue of food insecurity and galvanize community support and action.
– **Advocacy for Policy Reform:** Encourage advocacy efforts to motivate policymakers to prioritize food security and allocate necessary resources to tackle this crisis.
By embracing these strategies, communities can endeavor to diminish food insecurity and support those affected by food assistance loss. Cooperation among government agencies, non-profit entities, businesses, and individuals is vital to establishing a sustainable and resilient food system that guarantees access to nourishing food for all Americans.
