As the United States moves into its second month of the government shutdown, families across the nation are struggling to put food on the table.
The issue was compounded Nov. 1 when the Trump administration failed to release emergency funds for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which helps to feed approximately 42 million Americans each month.
Although two federal judges have ruled that the Trump administration must continue to fund SNAP, it is unsure if or when those benefits will be allocated to the public.
In the interim, community organizations, nonprofits and businesses have stepped up to the plate to make sure no one goes hungry in Pinellas County.
By the numbers
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, about 250,000 Tampa Bay area households receive food stamps. Of that number, 39% are children, 20% are seniors and 10% are disabled.
According to the Pinellas Community Foundation, almost 97,000 Pinellas County residents — approximately 10%, receive SNAP benefits.
An annual review by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows that 86% of SNAP recipients have jobs.
The Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas estimates that in Pinellas County, more than 24,000 senior households depend on SNAP each month. Statewide, the organization says 12.1% of older adults in Florida live below the poverty line.
Food insecurity
Feeding Tampa Bay is a nonprofit that provides food assistance for 10 Tampa Bay counties, including Pinellas, Pasco, Citrus, Hernando, Sumter, Hillsborough, Manatee, Polk, Hardee and Highlands.
“Our role here at Feeding Tampa Bay is to be here when someone is in a time of crisis, whether it’s a crisis that is going on in your life at the moment or if it’s a crisis that comes to you unexpectedly,” Shannon Hannon-Oliviero, director of public affairs, told Tampa Bay Newspapers. “During this government shutdown, people are unexpectedly working for no pay, and also having benefits they depend on in jeopardy, so we are here to make sure we lean into that.”
The organization, which is headquartered in Tampa, has launched a government shutdown page on its website (https://feedingtampabay.org/governmentshutdown) with information about where to and how to seek help, but urges those in need to look locally first.
“Folks are struggling. You don’t need to spend money on gas to come to the Causeway Center,” Hannon-Oliviero said, referring to her organization’s main campus in Tampa. “There is a location near you that will have enough food to get you by.”
In addition to its community pantries, the organization also offers hot meals through its Trinity cafes, where anyone can walk in and get served a meal, just like in any other restaurant, for no charge.
To find the closest Feeding Tampa Bay location or partner pantry, visit www.feedingtampabay.org/findfood.
On Oct. 31, the Pinellas Community Foundation announced it would spend $150,000 in emergency funding to support food banks and pantries throughout the county.
“Private philanthropy cannot replace government funding,” said Duggan Cooley, the organization’s CEO. “This is not about substituting for public responsibility. In moments like this, we act to stabilize. Our goal is to help local systems and families hold on until public functions resume.”
Groups receiving emergency funding through the organization include the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, Hope Villages of America, FEAST Food Pantry, Gathering of Women, Florida Dream Center, Tarpon Springs Shepherd Center, Dunedin Cares, Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center and Oldsmar Cares.
The Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas is also gearing up to help during the shutdown.
“We are very concerned about how the lack of SNAP benefits will impact seniors,” said Ann Marie Winter, the agency’s executive director. “This is their most basic need – food.”
The agency has set aside emergency funds to help and has manned its helpline with additional volunteers to help during the expected influx of calls this month.
You can reach the helpline at 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.
“We don’t know how long this is going to last,” said Winter. “But AAAPP will continue to look for ways to help our seniors through this difficult time.”
Local pantries prepared to lend a helping ‘can’
Interfaith Food Pantry director Kathy Burke said she is already seeing an increase in families since the shutdown began Oct. 1.
“We’ve already started doing some things because our numbers went up in September to 297 families, which is probably a good 60 or more than we are used to getting,” Burke said. “We are getting five or six new families every day.”
The pantry, housed at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Seminole, represents the efforts of 10 area churches, including Aldersgate, Faith Community Church, Lake Seminole Presbyterian Church, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Oakhurst United Methodist Church, Saint Francis Ecumenical Catholic Church, Saint Justin Martyr Catholic Church, Saint Matthew Catholic Church, Seminole First Baptist Church and Seminole United Methodist Church.
Burke worries that as the holidays are right around the corner, donors may not be able to give as much as they have in the past.
“The problem is that the people who normally donate don’t have the means to do so now,” she said.
Burke said she has been leaning on their churches to donate more when possible.
“It’s a constant worry about what we are going to have,” she said. “So far, we’ve been OK. Our churches are wonderful. They collect so much food for us.”
The pantry is open three days a week — Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays — from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information about the pantry, call 727-392-9365. If you would like to make a donation to the pantry, Burke asks that you drop them off on one of the days it is open. The pantry is at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 9530 Starkey Road.
Kristina Garcia, executive director of Dunedin Cares, a partner of Feeding Tampa Bay that serves north county residents, said she has already seen an influx of new families at the nonprofit pantry.
“We had quite an increase in October and I’m sure November will be the same,” she said.
Garcia said that the organization doesn’t require registration, so she never knows from one week to the next how many people will turn up in need.
“As far as what to expect, there’s really no way to know what or how many to expect,” she said, adding that she estimates that the pantry could see up to a 25% increase in families needing to use the pantry.
“We basically just have to figure it out. That’s the way it goes,” she said.
Garcia said she has reached out to the organization’s higher donors to prepare for the increase in need, but is gratified by the support of the community.
“There’s definitely a lot of people rallying,” Garcia said. “We’ve had a lot of merchants reach out to us and let us know they are going to gather for us. People here are always willing to pull together and help when needed.”
To make a donation to Dunedin Cares, call 727-410-8495 or visit www. dunedincares.org.
Restaurants to the rescue
A number of restaurants in Pinellas County have also joined the fight against hunger by offering free meals for furloughed workers and those who receive SNAP benefits.
Among those are the following:
• Gigglewaters in Safety Harbor has launched its “Giggles for Good” campaign. Families in need can stop into the restaurant and screening room to pick up a “GiggleBag,” a free bagged lunch for children. The campaign will continue until SNAP benefits are reinstated.
“This situation is complicated. Feeding a hungry kid isn’t,” the restaurant posted on its Facebook page.
• Pia’s Trattoria in Gulfport has launched the “Government Shutdown To Go Special,” which includes pasta Pomodoris, bread and a salad for no charge. Residents can approach the hostess stand at the Veranda between 5 and 6 p.m. and ask for the special. No questions asked.
“Food insecurity shouldn’t be a thing. We at Pia’s believe no family should go hungry,” the restaurant posted.
• Jack Willie’s Bar Grill & Tiki in Oldsmar is offering a free meal for children. Families can ask for a Jacks Bag and a free to-go meal will be provided.
• The Violet Stone Pizza is offering the “Shutdown Special.” All families need to do is stop in at the restaurant between 4 and 5 p.m. each day and order the special.
“We started this business so that I could always take care of my family. (Regardless) of your political beliefs, no child in America should go hungry,” the restaurant stated.
• Burger Monger in Clearwater is offering a free to-go “MongerBag” for each child. No purchase required.
• Dunedin’s Fusion Street Eatery is offering free kids’ meals for families in need, for as long as needed, no questions asked. Just call in your order to check for available meals.
• Mickey Quinn’s in Seminole will provide a free meal for children until the shutdown is over or SNAP benefits get reinstated.
• Our Place in Clearwater is offering free bagged meals for children.
• The Dunedin Smokehouse is offering the “Dunedin Kid Bag,” a bagged to-go lunch for children until SNAP benefits are restored.
• Orange Blossom in Dunedin is offering free kids’ meals for as long as needed, no questions asked.
• The Living Room on Main in Dunedin is offering free bagged lunches for children affected by the loss of SNAP benefits.
For updated information about area pantries, food giveaways and restaurant offerings during the shutdown, visit TBNweekly.com.
How you can help
To best serve the influx of families needing help with groceries, Feeding Tampa Bay has increased its hours at the organization’s Causeway Center in Tampa.
“Because of these added hours and more people who are coming into our care, volunteers are key to us,” Hannon-Oliviero said. “We couldn’t operate without them in blue skies, as we call it — we have about 4,500 to 5,000 who help us — and in gray skies, we ask more from the community to join us.”
If you aren’t able to volunteer, Hannon-Oliviero said it takes as little as $1 to help a family in need.
“$1 equals five meals from a donation standpoint, so anyone that can help we ask them to do that,” she said. “And then we make sure to distribute additional food out into the community with partners we support.”
While hopeful for an end of the shutdown and an issuance of SNAP benefits, Hannon-Oliviero said it’s prudent to be prepared.
“I promise you in the coming weeks, whether the government were to stop the shutdown tomorrow, we are still going to have a few weeks with delays in place with people who are still going to need our help,” she said.