A single mom in San Jose is bracing for the worst as Bay Area families using government assistance to pay for groceries may temporarily lose those benefits starting Nov. 1.
Chelsea Hollingsworth, a single mom, doesn’t want her 3-year-old Keaneau and 2-year-old Kayden to go hungry.
She says every month she buys $648 worth of fruit, vegetables, meat and milk for them at Walmart using the SNAP Food Assistance Program that allows her to select her own food.
“My kids are very picky eaters so having SNAP lets them choose what they want to eat and get the nutrients they need,” Hollingsworth said.
She is one of more than five million Californians who receive snap benefits.
Hollingsworth used to be unhoused and considers the program a lifeline for her family.
She is searching for a job but says if the federal government shutdown continues and she loses her SNAP benefits on Nov. 1, she may be forced to make tough choices.
“I’m trying to see what I can do to work it out so I can still feed my kids and still have a roof over my kids,” Hollingsworth said.
She’s gone to food banks in the past but says it’s been tough finding food her kids will eat.
She’s now trying to stretch her SNAP dollars while she has them by stockpiling canned goods.
“I’m trying to keep positive, so they don’t have to worry. No 2 or 3-year-old should have to worry about eating or getting food or when they will get their next meal,” Hollingsworth said.
Last year, more than 13% of California’s population received SNAP benefits.