Attributed to Vince Hall, Feeding America chief government relations officer
A government shutdown will bring uncertainty to millions of families in the United States. The Feeding America network of food banks, food pantries and meal programs will do all they can to serve their communities, but their food and funds can only go so far.
A government shutdown would lead to millions of federal employees, active-duty military members and many people who work for a federal contractor not receiving their expected paychecks in mid-October, potentially jeopardizing their ability to put food on the table and cover other household expenses.
As food banks face this increase in demand, many are already struggling to meet sustained and heightened need in their communities. The end of pandemic-era support services coupled with the compounded effects of continued supply chain disruptions and high food and transportation costs have strained the charitable food system.
A shutdown could also disrupt vital food assistance programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in October.
And, if a shutdown extends until November, it would jeopardize critical anti-hunger programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps 40 million people put food on the table and channels investment into local communities.
Congress must avoid a shutdown to ensure millions of people can continue to access the food they need. We encourage anyone who thinks they might be impacted by a shutdown to find support in their local communities at feedingamerica.org/needhelp.
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About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 5.3 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
