Kristen Cox has been suffering sleepless nights under a river of tears knowing the federal government shutdown will have a horrible impact on food assistance programs the longer it continues.
Cox founded the nonprofit Long Beach Community Table, which helps thousands of people each week, more than five years ago.
“I hate seeing what this is doing to our community,” Cox said through tears. “And I know that it’s been going on a lot longer than just this SNAP situation because it isn’t the priority, to be completely honest with you.”
On Nov. 1, funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will run out due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. More than 42 million Americans, including 5 million Californians, will lose access to buying groceries when the funding runs out.
Southern California nonprofits are working hard to help clients that will be impacted when SNAP benefits run out.
“I’m very concerned about SNAP benefits being shut off,” Project Angel Food CEO Richard Ayoub said.
Ayoub can’t fathom how many of his clients in need will be left devastated if the benefits stop amid the shutdown, which is nearing the one-month mark and is the second longest in U.S. history. The nonprofit provides more than 1.5 million medically tailored meals each year to more than 5,200 clients battling severe illnesses.
“At Project Angel Food, we’re buying $100 gift cards so it can help them (clients) through this difficult time,” Ayoub said.
On Friday, two federal judges ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue to fund SNAP, the nation’s biggest food aid program, using contingency funds.
Ayoub said he hopes the ruling has teeth “because there are so many people in this community who need these benefits.”
How to get help if you lose SNAP benefits?
If you’re at risk of losing benefits, there are several resources where you can find help.
Call 211. The hotline will connect you to different resources throughout the region.
You can go to FindHelp.org to connect you with nonprofits like food banks and pantries, all you need to do is enter your zip code.
ABC7 Eyewitness News compiled some resources you can find in Southern California:
End hunger in California: How to help those in need in your community
Where to get food help in Southern California with SNAP benefits on the line
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