“It isn’t going through,” is the worst thing that a parent can hear when trying to buy groceries for their kids.
“Try again.” the parent asks.
“Nope.” the cashier says.
The parent returns home empty handed. Anxiety will haunt them while they are attempting to find food for their children and for themselves. Unfortunately, many people are in this situation, so they have been relying on EBT, SNAP benefits, or certain food programs to support them to put food on their tables. Yet, as of Nov. 1, marking the 35 day of the government shutdown, many have been faced with the new changes of their SNAP benefits. 
Some of those changes include stricter work requirements to receive these benefits, reduced benefits, noncitizen eligibility for SNAP, and the elimination of certain programs among many others.
For some background, SNAP is a federal food assistance program that helps provide food for 42 million Americans, averaging $180 per person monthly. Now, due to some financial issues within the government, they have had to reduce the money going to this program to $4.65 billion in November, which will only cover roughly half of the normal amount.
In addition to the allotted amount of money set aside for the program becoming reduced, they will have to make drastic long-term changes to many other factors. This includes any able-bodied adult up to 64 must work 80 hours a month or at least volunteer to receive these benefits. Some legal immigrants will also lose their privilege to receive SNAP. This reduction of SNAP will impact large food banks for they won’t be able to supply for as many people.
Individuals such as those who are kids, seniors, disabled, and working families are being impacted severely causing not only current issues, but long term issues for them. Creating real hardships that those well off might just look right past. Politically, it seems as if they are using food as a leverage for when the government opens up again so benefits will be returned, but less.
How can those with a little extra provide some help? Well, there are several places you can drop off food to support food banks including:
~ Food Donation Drop Off – San Diego
Many are suffering because of a country wide financial failing, but we need them to know they aren’t alone. For people are fighting for them and they aren’t forgotten. Yet, Thanksgiving won’t be the same for them.
