How to Help Families Affected by the SNAP Crisis

When we first read that 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, are at risk of losing their food assistance because of the government shutdown, our hearts sank. It’s hard to wrap your head around numbers that big, until you imagine the families behind them. Parents standing in grocery store aisles, trying to figure out what they can afford. Kids who might not have breakfast before school this week. Grandparents living alone, wondering how they’ll stretch what’s left in the pantry.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is how millions of households put food on the table every month. It’s meant to be a safety net, steady and reliable, especially when times are hard. But this month, because of the federal shutdown and a political standoff in Washington, funding for the program has been paused. Many families who depend on these benefits don’t know when or if help will come.

If you’re feeling helpless, here are a few ways to make a real difference:

1. Donate if you can.
Organizations like Feeding America and No Kid Hungry are on the ground helping families access food right now. Even a small donation helps fill empty shelves and stock local food banks.

2. Support local food pantries.
If you’d rather give directly, check FindHelp.org or dial 211 to find nearby food banks and pantries that accept donations or volunteers. They often need pantry staples, hygiene products, and baby items like formula or diapers.

3. Speak up.
Contact your representatives and urge them to prioritize funding for food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC. A quick phone call or email can help put pressure where it’s needed most.

We know it’s easy to feel powerless watching something like this unfold. But small acts (a $10 donation, a bag of groceries dropped off at a food pantry, a few minutes spent calling your senator) truly add up.

4. Volunteer your time.
Local pantries, shelters, and community kitchens need extra hands to sort donations, prep meals, and deliver food. If you have an afternoon to spare, it matters.

5. Share resources.
If you or someone you know has lost benefits, you can use any remaining balance on your EBT card, and Feeding America’s locator tool can help you find emergency food resources nearby.

This situation shouldn’t be happening, but it’s a reminder that compassion starts close to home. We can’t fix Washington overnight, but we can make sure our neighbors are fed and cared for. If you’re able to give, give. If you’re able to help, help. And if you’re the one who needs support right now, we see you, and you deserve it.

Tennessee Resources

And lastly, f you live in Tennessee, here are a few places providing food assistance and volunteer opportunities:

• Chattanooga Area Food Bank – chattfoodbank.org
  Serves Southeast Tennessee, including Bradley, Hamilton, and surrounding counties. You can donate, volunteer, or find partner pantries near you.

• Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee – secondharvestetn.org
  Provides meals to 18 counties across East Tennessee. Monetary donations go the farthest.

• Mid-South Food Bank – midsouthfoodbank.org
  Covers West Tennessee, Northern Mississippi, and Eastern Arkansas. Accepts donations and has volunteer opportunities.

• 211 Tennessee – tn211.myresourcedirectory.com
  A statewide helpline that connects families with local food, housing, and financial aid resources. You can also dial 211 directly.