Shutdown Exposes Gaps in Food Assistance

On November 1, due to the federal government shutdown, the essential support services SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women Infants and Children) were paused.

And even though the government will resume SNAP and WIC payments as it reopens, this episode has shown how we can’t just depend on the government to assist those who need help feeding their families.

For context, 31% of Manatee County households are ALICE Households: Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed. They earn just above the poverty level but struggle to make ends meet. With food costs averaging at least $1,619 a month for a family of four in Manatee, losing SNAP and WIC benefits has been devastating for many of our neighbors.

As a result, people in need have been turning to food pantries more than ever. The Food Bank of Manatee, Feeding Tampa Bay, One More Child, and many other pantries, afterschool programs, and senior feeding programs have been scrambling to provide enough food. In some cases, they’ve been distributing less to stretch supplies farther. Others have had to turn people away after food runs out.

As we look for longer-term solutions, this is where the Manatee Food Security Network comes in. This network of nonprofits, government agencies, and funders has met for the last two years to convene the community’s collective voice, coordinate data and resources, and build capacity for seamless systems to address the root causes of food insecurity.

We need to grow our communities’ capabilities, knowing that we can’t solely depend on government to feed the hungry. For those wishing to help, we suggest that you donate financially to local food banks or pantries, or volunteer to pack food bags.

Let’s make the commitment to create a better safety net for those in our community who struggle every day to put food on the table. The time is now.

Emily Grant
Director, Manatee Food Security Network