Millions of low-income Floridians rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to get essential groceries. With the government shutdown approaching nearly a month, SNAP benefits were scheduled to be suspended Saturday.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Twenty-five state governments collectively sued the Trump Administration Tuesday because it chose to halt SNAP assistance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the hours before two federal judges ruled that federal food subsidies must continue, several Tampa Bay area organizations and restaurants were prepared to deal with a worst-case scenario.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nonprofit St. Pete Free Clinic was already seeing the impacts of the situation. The organization\u2019s pantry locations serve over 30,000 people monthly. The number of individuals have increased recently, said executive director Jennifer Yeagley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Over the last two weeks, the organization has served approximately 700 more people.\u00a0 Roughly 65 percent of these individuals were first-time visitors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
SPFC plans to extend operation hours for its We Help FRESH pantry, at 863 3rd Ave North on Tuesday evenings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Two mobile food distributions are scheduled for next month, Yeagley added. An event in partnership with BayCare and the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County will be held at BayCare\u2019s Clearwater corporate office, at 2985 Drew St., Nov. 8.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A drive-through event is also scheduled Nov. 22 at the We Help FRESH pantry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are committed to doing is monitoring what the need looks like in real-time so that we can then continue to make adjustments and expand services as needed in where we\u2019re seeing the highest spikes,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Karen Rae, executive director of nonprofit Positive Impact ST. PETE, wants families and individuals to know that it\u2019s okay to ask for assistance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring this period of time, it\u2019s humbling for people to have to come out and seek support,\u201d she said. \u201cWe want to give those families that are faced with hard times the dignity and support that they deserve to be given.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The nonprofit, in collaboration with organization partners including St. Pete Free Clinic, hosts a free grocery distribution event every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Tangerine Plaza (1794 22nd St. S.).\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pia\u2019s Trattoria, located in Gulfport, was planning on offering a free meal starting Saturday for families in need.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis government shutdown is affecting some of our neighbors like the hurricanes we went through last year,\u201d said owner Pia Goff. \u201cPeople are scared and need to know that the community is there for them. If we all help together, we are all better for it. It\u2019s simple, really.\u201d<\/p>\n