Tampa Bay nonprofits and charities anticipate a surge in demand for food assistance and other services in November as the ongoing federal government shutdown threatens Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The government shutdown has been ongoing since Oct. 1, forcing many federal employees who have lost their pay to turn to local nonprofits for support. Those nonprofits now expect even higher demand for assistance once SNAP benefits lose federal funding starting in November.

Feeding Tampa Bay 

“Over the last couple of years we’ve seen a 45% to 40% increase in need for services, so I don’t think we can tell the story of what’s happening today without understanding that already we have a lot of folks who are struggling economically,” Feeding Tampa Bay President and CEO Thomas Mantz said. “As we move into today we’ve been taking care of federal workers who have been unpaid for about three weeks, almost four weeks. We’ve built out a particular set of services and programs for that group of folks.”

Feeding Tampa Bay will increase support for federal employees and residents losing SNAP benefits in November as the government shutdown rolls on. The organization and more than 400 partners announced distributions across a number of counties Wednesday afternoon. Distributions will begin on Monday, Nov. 3, and continue as necessary.

Feeding Tampa Bay has provided specialized support to government employees who have lost income since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1. Mantz said the shutdown now threatens SNAP benefits for more than 250,000 households and between 350,000 to 500,000 people in the 10-county area the organization serves. Feeding Tampa Bay typically provides 1.9 million meals weekly, but expects the number to increase significantly with the loss of SNAP support.

“The issue at hand today is what happens if SNAP is not funded, which looks increasingly like that will be the case,” he said. “SNAP recipients are very unlikely, extremely unlikely, to have any other options available to them so they will likely come into our care. We’ll do our best to respond but that will be a challenge.”

Emergency response distributions are available throughout the organization’s service area. Those include locations at the Causeway Center in Hillsborough County at 3624 Causeway Blvd., Tampa, on Nov. 3; the Bartow Civic Center in Polk County at 2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow, on Nov. 4; the Volunteer Way in Pasco County at 8061 Congress St., Port Richey, on Nov. 4; the Hands for Homeless at Highlands County at 106 N. Butler Ave., Avon Park, on Nov. 5; and BayCare: Drew Street in Pinellas County at 2985 Drew St., Clearwater, on Nov. 6; among numerous other locations. A comprehensive list of emergency response distributions is available at feedingtampabay.org/snaprelief.

Visit feedingtampaybay.org/governmentshutdown for more information.

Metropolitan Ministries 

Metropolitan Ministries expects a surge in demand if SNAP benefits are paused in November and federal workers continue to lose pay as a result of the federal government shutdown, estimating that demand for support could quadruple to 4,000 families per month.

The organization has doubled access to food pantry boxes for government workers, has increased the number of community meal sites throughout Tampa Bay to 52, and has expanded utility and rent assistance programs. Metro also offers services through its Counseling and Resiliency Center, including six free counseling sessions to federal workers as they navigate circumstances brought on by the shutdown.

Those in need can visit the Metro Market once per month. It offers fresh produce, bread, meat, pantry staples and clothing. Locations include Downtown Tampa at 2301 N. Tampa St.; the Prosperity Center at Thaddeus M. Bullard Academy, which is open on the first and third Tuesday and Thursday of the month, at 2011 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa; and locations in West and East Pasco at 3216 U.S. 19, Holiday; and 13703 17th St., Dade City.

Hot meal sites include locations like the Faith Café at 1225 Clearview Ave., Tampa; the First Baptist Church of College Hill at 3834 N. 29th St., Tampa; Holy Trinity Presbyterian at 350 S. Hyde Park Ave., Tampa; as well as the Trinity Cafe III at 6330 54th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg; and the Unitarian Universalist church at 100 Mirror Lake Dr. N. in St. Petersburg. Visit www.metromin.org/expanded-services for a full list of hot meal sites and other resources.

St. Pete Free Clinic 

The St. Pete Free Clinic operates one of Pinellas County’s largest food pantries. Although the clinic is not a shutdown-specific program, its We Help Fresh Pantry is a critical resource for those who may lose SNAP benefits in Pinellas.

The indoor market offers fresh produce, meat and pantry staples Monday through Thursday to anyone in need. It has expanded hours on Thursday evenings to accommodate working families.

The indoor market is located at 863 3rd Ave. N., St. Petersburg. The organization also offers drive-through pantry services on Mondays and Wednesdays at 22nd St. S. and 2198 15th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg. Only Pinellas County residents are eligible for service, and individuals can visit the pantry twice per month. Visit thespfc.org for more information.

Gigglewaters 

Gigglewaters restaurant will provide free lunch to children in need through its Giggles for Good charity program starting Nov. 1. Patrons can stop at the restaurant and ask for a “GiggleBag” for every child present until SNAP benefits are restored. No purchase is necessary.

“It’s just a simple, bagged to-go lunch, nothing fancy, but it’s a meal if your children are hungry,” the restaurant announced on Facebook.

Check back for more

Florida Politics will continue to monitor local non-profits, businesses and other organizations offering assistance and update this list as we learn more.