SNAP is our nation’s most important anti-hunger tool. If benefits are paused in November, 1.9 million people in Illinois will be at risk of hunger.
On October 24, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a memo to communicate that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be distributed in November unless the federal government reopens. This is unprecedented and stands to cause a historic, but avoidable, hunger crisis.
As a proud member of the Feeding America national network of food banks, the Greater Chicago Food Depository urges federal leaders to change course and use any available resources to keep SNAP benefits flowing in November. Even during a shutdown, the federal government has a legal requirement and moral obligation to fund SNAP. There is no greater priority than making sure 41 million Americans, including 1.9 million people in Illinois, don’t go hungry.
If SNAP is disrupted, communities in every part of the United States will experience an immediate hunger crisis. Nonprofit food pantries – already stretched thin – will be overwhelmed with unprecedented demand. Grocery stores will see a rapid decrease in sales and revenue, putting businesses and jobs at risk across the food supply chain. The effects will be disastrous for families, local economies, and the health of communities. People will go hungry, including children, older adults and veterans.
For every meal provided by the Feeding America network of food banks, SNAP provides the equivalent of nine meals. We are proud of our impact and our ability to respond in times of crisis, but we cannot grow nine times in size. We implore the federal government to fulfill a promise it has kept since the food stamp act of 1964 – don’t allow SNAP to be disrupted due to a government shutdown, not even for a day.
While we raise our voices, we are also preparing for the likely event that SNAP benefits are not distributed on November 1. The Food Depository is in close communication with our network of partner food pantries and programs throughout Cook County. We are looking for every opportunity to increase food distribution, taking a geographic and need-based approach focused on areas with the highest concentration of SNAP participants. We will do everything in our power to make sure food is available for anyone who visits a local pantry.
At this moment, an estimated one in five Chicago area households experiences food insecurity. And as the government shutdown approaches one month, there are 60,000 federal workers in Cook County who haven’t been paid. A disruption to SNAP will create a crisis unlike anything we’ve seen in our 46-year history.
We encourage everyone to raise their voice with us and demand the federal government funds SNAP even if the shutdown continues. Participate in our action alert to contact your elected officials today.
Anyone in need of food assistance can find a program near them by visiting the Find Food page of our website. As the situation evolves, we encourage SNAP participants to frequently check this Illinois Department of Human Services webpage for updates and enroll in IDHS text messages by calling 1-800-843-6154.
In this challenging moment, the Food Depository is grateful for our steadfast partners, our dedicated volunteers and our loyal supporters. Thank you.
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