TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV\/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Charities are working to help get money to those not getting food assistance because of the federal government shutdown.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Department of Agriculture halted funding on November 1 due to the government shutdown. Two federal judges ruled last week that the government was required to keep the program running, even if only partially.<\/p>\n
The Florida Department of Children and Families said families will still get their November benefits when the federal government reopens.<\/p>\n
GiveDirectly is giving more than 100,000 people money to help cover food since SNAP benefits haven\u2019t been sent since last week. The charity is giving $50 to people receiving the most SNAP benefits.<\/p>\n
\u201cFolks are telling us they\u2019re using it on food. They\u2019re able to leverage the funds in some cases with match programs or things like that. They can buy foods that are specific to their dietary requirements or transport to go buy the food or things like that,\u201d said Dustin Palmer, U.S. Country Director at GiveDirectly. \u201cAnd so food banks are important, but it requires getting there in a lot of cases and you\u2019re kind of up to what food\u2019s available then.\u201d<\/p>\n
GiveDirectly has raised more than $12 million to help people on SNAP.<\/p>\n