On Friday, Oct. 31, two federal judges ruled the Trump administration had to keep funding the SNAP low-income food program. But long lines of people still showed up at Saturday's emergency food distribution event at Tallahassee's Governor's Square.
Second Harvest of the Big Bend CEO Monique Ellsworth said folks were coming hours before the event started Saturday morning.
"The first person got in line at 9:45 last night. A mom with several children and they slept in their car overnight. And there were already 4 cars in line before midnight."
The distribution began at 7 Saturday morning. In less than 3 hours, enough food for 1,500 households had been handed out.
"What we've heard today has been nothing but fear from people in our community. A lot of gratitude for what's happening here, but fear for the future."
Ellsworth said it's unclear how long it may take for the Trump administration to release SNAP reserve money to the states. Meanwhile, she says more mass food distributions may have to happen on the local level.
