Programs like Farm Share and local organizations in West Palm Beach are stepping up to provide food assistance to families affected by the government shutdown and recent cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).SNAP recipients are expressing gratitude for the support, with one woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, sharing her relief after receiving food, saying, “Personally, I don’t have anything in my refrigerator, so I’m just watching and praying for the best.”The U.S. Department of Agriculture initially stated it would not use its $5.3 billion contingency fund to cover food stamp benefits after Nov. 1. However, two federal judges ordered the USDA to use emergency funds to partially cover November benefits for recipients. Another SNAP recipient expressed concern, saying, “My friend was supposed to get hers today, but she didn’t receive anything. She’s been checking all day. I’m supposed to get mines on the 8th.”SNAP BENEFITS: ‘People are so concerned’: Fort Pierce pantry trying to fill the gap as SNAP benefits face cutsThe Extraordinary Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization in West Palm Beach, provides care and services to special needs children. A few months ago, the President and CEO Madean Gilzene set up a food pantry and serves free hot meals every Saturday at 11 a.m. “We kept getting a lot of feedback from our families that they were struggling,” Gilzene said. Due to the economic climate, a lot of people are in need, financially in need, and food is one of the biggest things that people always need.”She noted that the number of people seeking assistance is growing, especially in the past few days, with cuts to the SNAP program. “A lot of people are in fear; they’re already worried they’re not going to be able to feed themselves or their children,” Gilzene said.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsMario Lopez, Farm Share’s director of development, said they are also reaching out, inviting federal government employees and SNAP recipients to visit any facility for fresh food. “Whoever it is that you’re working in the government and you’re not getting paid, you’re welcome to bring your ID to one of our warehouses and say here I am and you’ll get food,” an official Lopez said.The organization is experiencing a strain, with a reported 28 percent decrease in donations.For more information on where to get assistance and how you can help, click here https://www.farmshare.org/ https://extraordinarykidsfoundation.org/Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —
Programs like Farm Share and local organizations in West Palm Beach are stepping up to provide food assistance to families affected by the government shutdown and recent cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
SNAP recipients are expressing gratitude for the support, with one woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, sharing her relief after receiving food, saying, “Personally, I don’t have anything in my refrigerator, so I’m just watching and praying for the best.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture initially stated it would not use its $5.3 billion contingency fund to cover food stamp benefits after Nov. 1.
However, two federal judges ordered the USDA to use emergency funds to partially cover November benefits for recipients.
Another SNAP recipient expressed concern, saying, “My friend was supposed to get hers today, but she didn’t receive anything. She’s been checking all day. I’m supposed to get mines on the 8th.”
SNAP BENEFITS: ‘People are so concerned’: Fort Pierce pantry trying to fill the gap as SNAP benefits face cuts
The Extraordinary Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization in West Palm Beach, provides care and services to special needs children.
A few months ago, the President and CEO Madean Gilzene set up a food pantry and serves free hot meals every Saturday at 11 a.m.
“We kept getting a lot of feedback from our families that they were struggling,” Gilzene said. Due to the economic climate, a lot of people are in need, financially in need, and food is one of the biggest things that people always need.”
She noted that the number of people seeking assistance is growing, especially in the past few days, with cuts to the SNAP program.
“A lot of people are in fear; they’re already worried they’re not going to be able to feed themselves or their children,” Gilzene said.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
Mario Lopez, Farm Share’s director of development, said they are also reaching out, inviting federal government employees and SNAP recipients to visit any facility for fresh food.
“Whoever it is that you’re working in the government and you’re not getting paid, you’re welcome to bring your ID to one of our warehouses and say here I am and you’ll get food,” an official Lopez said.
The organization is experiencing a strain, with a reported 28 percent decrease in donations.
For more information on where to get assistance and how you can help, click here
https://www.farmshare.org/
https://extraordinarykidsfoundation.org/
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25