LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Across the United States, people flocked to food pantries and drive-through giveaways on Saturday, seeking free meals and groceries. This surge followed the sudden suspension of monthly benefits from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing government shutdown.
In the Bronx, New York, the World of Life Christian Fellowship International pantry witnessed an influx of about 200 extra people. Bundled in winter attire and equipped with collapsible shopping carts, they formed a line stretching across several city blocks. Some eager individuals arrived as early as 4 a.m., eager to secure a selection of fruits, vegetables, bread, milk, juice, dry goods, and sandwiches.
Mary Martin, a regular volunteer at the pantry, also relies on its provisions to supplement her SNAP benefits. Her monthly allotment of approximately $200 is shared with her two adult sons, one of whom has six children and heavily depends on this aid.
“Without the pantry, I can’t imagine how we’d manage,” Martin expressed.
“I refuse to let my grandkids suffer,” she added.
Initially, the Department of Agriculture intended to halt SNAP payments starting Saturday. However, two federal judges intervened, ordering the administration to continue the payments. Despite this ruling, uncertainty loomed as beneficiaries anxiously awaited the reloading of their debit cards, fueling widespread fear and confusion.
In an apparent response to President Donald Trump, who said he would provide the money but wanted more legal direction from the court, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell in Rhode Island ordered the government to report back by Monday on how it would fund SNAP accounts.
McConnell, who was nominated by President Barack Obama, said the Trump administration must either make a full payment by that day or, if it decides to tap $3 billion in a contingency fund, figure out how to do that by Wednesday.
The delay in SNAP payments, a major piece of the nation’s social safety net that serves about 42 million people, has highlighted the financial vulnerabilities that many face. At the Bronx food pantry, the Rev. John Udo-Okon said “people from all walks of life” are seeking help now.
“The pantry is no longer for the poor, for the elderly, for the needy. The pantry now is for the whole community, everybody,” Udo-Okon said. “You see people will drive in their car and come and park and wait to see if they can get food.”
In Austell, Georgia, people in hundreds of cars in drive-through lanes picked up nonperishable and perishable bags of food. Must Ministries said it handed out food to about 1,000 people, more than a typical bimonthly food delivery.
Families in line said they worried about not getting SNAP benefits in time for Thanksgiving.
At a drive-through food giveaway at the Calvary Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, SNAP recipient James Jackson, 74, said he is frustrated that people are being hurt by decisions made in Washington and lawmakers should try harder to understand challenges brought by poverty and food insecurity.
“If you’ve never been poor, you don’t know what it is to be poor,” Jackson said. “I hope that it turns around. I hope that people get their SNAP benefits, and I hope we just come together where we can love each other and feed each other and help each other.”
While there is typically a long line for Calvary Baptist Church’s drive-through events, the Rev. Samuel L. Whitlow said, the walk-in food pantry has seen increased demand recently with roughly 60 additional people showing up this week.
And in Norwich, Connecticut, the St. Vincent De Paul soup kitchen and food pantry had 10 extra volunteers working Saturday to help a wave of expected newcomers, making sure they felt comfortable and understood the services available. Besides groceries and hot meals, the site was providing pet food, toiletries and blood pressure checks.
“They’re embarrassed. They have shame. So you have to deal with that as well,” director Jill Corbin said. “But we do our best to just try to welcome people.”
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Haigh reported from Norwich, Connecticut. Associated Press photographer Mike Stewart in Austell, Georgia, contributed.
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