This comes in the wake of the continued federal government shutdown and the recent announcement that SNAP will not be funded for November.
SAN ANTONIO — The USDA announced that federal food aid will not go out on November 1. This as the government shutdown continues, now the second-longest on record.
The USDA said in a statement that the bottom line is that the well has run dry for the SNAP benefits.
Across the United States and here locally it’s prompted organizations like the San Antonio Food Bank to respond. This comes after the Trump administration said it would keep contingency funds available for the program.
But on Friday, a USDA memo surfaced saying contingency funds aren’t legally available to cover regular benefits, saying the money instead is reserved for things like helping people in disaster areas, as reported by CBS News.
As a result of this announcement, the San Antonio Food Bank said they’re ready to empty they’re warehouse if necessary, anticipating 50% more food to meet the need they’re predicting will be needed in the coming weeks. The food bank compares it to an extra 12-13 tractor trailer loads of food on top of 25 loads of food.
In a statement, the CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, Eric Cooper wrote, “Nobody should go to bed hungry, not a child or a senior or a military family, and we want our community to know we will have food and have their backs while the shutdown continues. San Antonio knows how to step up in times of disaster, and we will need everyone to meet this storm. The government is shut down but we are open for business!”
Those wanting to give help can find ways to donate or volunteer at: www.safoodbank.org/ways-to-help/