All this month, those relying on benefits from the SNAP food program have been without funds because of the government shutdown. Even with the government reopening today, it’s not known when SNAP funds will start flowing again.
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Thousand of families in the Big Bend rely on SNAP, and many local groups are helping fill the gap.
Second Harvest of the Big Bend held two large food distribution events in the last couple of weeks, where lines formed hours before the scheduled start times. Each was designed as a drive-through, but a woman named Melanie told us she walked about an hour to get to an event in the Governor’s Square Mall parking lot outside the old Sears building. She wheeled a canvas cart behind her.
“They ran out but they were able to give us a little something for people who walk,” said Melanie, who didn’t want to give her last name. “I just moved here. It is rough, yeah, with the SNAP benefits being cut off. We’re hungry.”
Between these two giveaways, approximately 25-hundred families received boxes of food.
These events were in addition to other food distributions happening around the community. Even with other groups hosting, Second Harvest is often the food provider. The food bank gets its supply through a combination of donations, government programs, and buying the food. It also has deals with retailers to “rescue” food that can’t be sold for various reasons, like minor damage to the container.
Second Harvest is located at 4446 Entrepot Boulevard just off Capital Circle SW with a 41-thousand square foot warehouse. The food bank is linked with dozens of small food pantries and partner agencies, and it always needs donations and volunteers. Click here to see a list of locations and times where free food is available.
The impacts of the 43-day government shutdown and the loss of SNAP benefits are far reaching. On Speaking Of, we hear about a group that has been around for almost four years and is stepping up to help even more.
“I think there’s a time in everyone’s life where you have a decision to choose either empathy or apathy,” says Nathan Pugh, president and co-founder of Little Sunshine Pantries. His group delivers to families and has also repurposed old newspaper stands that act as micro panties for anyone needing food.
“If you got to LittleSunshinePantries.com, you can see an interactive Google map that has pinned all of our pantries as well as all the other help shelves we can find,” Pugh says. “It’s an every evolving map.”
Second Harvest is the primary source of food for Little Sunshine Pantries, much of which must be paid for. They also have an Amazon wish list for those who want to help.
Click LISTEN above to hear the full segment of Speaking Of.
