Food Pantries Brace for Busy Holiday Season Amid Ongoing Recovery From Benefit Disruption

The Shutdown Proved That the USA Needs SNAP

The government shutdown's temporary cut to SNAP benefits proved that they are essential for preventing hunger. Food banks can't fill the gap.

The Natural Experiment Showed that the USA Needs SNAP

The short, natural experiment we all witnessed reinforces that SNAP is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger and food insecurity and food pantries can only be a secondary and supplemental source of food. Food pantries and food banks cannot substitute for a robust, reliable, government-funded food safety net.

Food pantries brace for busy holiday season amid ongoing recovery from benefit disruption

PAPILLION, Neb. (KMTV) Food pantries in Sarpy County are bracing for continued high demand as families still recover from recent SNAP benefit delays, heading into one of their busiest times of year. Neighborgood Food Pantry in Papillion saw a 35% increase in visitors during November following SNAP benefit delays. The pantry is preparing for its busiest season as families lose access to school meals during holiday break. Community donations have …

Thanksgiving demand increases at Idaho food pantries during SNAP uncertainty

A map of Idaho Food Bank locations in the nonprofit's warehouse.(Jaime Geary / Boise State Public Radio)SNAP benefits, or food stamps, were briefly paused this month during the federal government shutdown. Now, just days before Thanksgiving, benefits are back but food assistance is still in high demand.Inside the Idaho Foodbank’s warehouse in Meridian, volunteers on forklifts unload pallets of peas, potatoes and other food supplies.Morgan Wilson…