The government shutdown is already one of the longest in U.S. political history. So much so, that some states are speaking out and addressing the looming situation. In Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to access emergency funds and ensure food assistance. And Virginia isn’t the only state. Nationwide, 42 million low-income individuals could lose access to SNAP benefits starting November 1st if this situation isn’t resolved soon.
Millions of Americans could be unable to buy basic necessities starting this weekend
The data is alarming because the numbers speak for themselves. Millions of Americans could be unable to buy basic necessities starting this weekend. The potential end of SNAP in November could lead to widespread hunger in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, disproportionately affecting children and low-income families, according to official sources. “The vast majority (of beneficiaries) are children, workers, senior citizens, veterans, and people with disabilities,” Joel Bergh, executive director of Hunger Free America, told NPR News. Meanwhile, according to WTOP, 800,000 Virginia residents rely on SNAP, including more than 300,000 children and 80,000 adults under 60 with disabilities.
The people who rely on this type of assistance are low-income individuals, mostly large families, families with dependent children…
Food banks are preparing for an imminent surge in demand. The people who rely on this type of assistance are low-income individuals, mostly large families, families with dependent children, or people with disabilities. Therefore, resources and options in these situations are limited. Thus, while states evaluate local solutions, pressure is mounting on the federal government to ensure food assistance continues, highlighting the vulnerability of millions of residents to the disruption of essential programs. In fact, DoorDash announced it will waive merchant fees for food banks, pantries, and community organizations, while local leaders are urging supermarkets and businesses to donate food to families in need.
They are demanding that contingency funds and other legal tools be used to ensure SNAP continues operating through the end of November
“If the SNAP program shuts down, we will have the most mass hunger we’ve had in America since the Great Depression,” Bergh emphasized, highlighting the urgency of resolving the government shutdown. Meanwhile, Democratic Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine sent letters to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins demanding that contingency funds and other legal tools be used to ensure SNAP continues operating through the end of November. For her part, Virginia State Senator Danica Roem stated, “Even in Gainesville, Bristow, and Haymarket, we have real hunger needs. That’s why the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry exists.”
The states are trying to prevent the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the partial government shutdown
In this regard, more than twenty states have officially sued Trump for not using emergency funds. It was recently announced that the Trump Administration, through the Department of Agriculture (USDA), will not use emergency funds to keep the SNAP program active. This dashed the hopes many had for getting through this month, which includes Thanksgiving, the quintessential national holiday centered around family and food. With this lawsuit, the states are trying to prevent the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the partial government shutdown, the end of which is still unknown.
The government’s decisions will be crucial for more than 45 million families
We will continue to monitor developments in the coming hours, as the government’s decisions will be crucial for more than 45 million families. The legal action brought by the states suing the government seeks to compel a federal judge to force the USDA to use all available resources to ensure the continuation of aid.
