All this month, those relying on benefits from the SNAP food program have been without funds because of the government shutdown. Even with the government reopening today, it\u2019s not known when SNAP funds will start flowing again.<\/p>\n
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Thousand of families in the Big Bend rely on SNAP, and many local groups are helping fill the gap.<\/p>\n
Second Harvest of the Big Bend held two large food distribution events in the last couple of weeks, where lines formed hours before the scheduled start times. Each was designed as a drive-through, but a woman named Melanie told us she walked about an hour to get to an event in the Governor\u2019s Square Mall parking lot outside the old Sears building. She wheeled a canvas cart behind her.<\/p>\n
A weekly deep dive into Tallahassee’s most talked about news topic. Hosted by Gina Jordan every Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey ran out but they were able to give us a little something for people who walk,\u201d said Melanie, who didn\u2019t want to give her last name. \u201cI just moved here. It is rough, yeah, with the SNAP benefits being cut off. We\u2019re hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Between these two giveaways, approximately 25-hundred families received boxes of food.<\/p>\n
These events were in addition to other food distributions happening around the community. Even with other groups hosting, Second Harvest is often the food provider. The food bank gets its supply through a combination of donations, government programs, and buying the food. It also has deals with retailers to \u201crescue\u201d food that can\u2019t be sold for various reasons, like minor damage to the container.<\/p>\n
Second Harvest<\/a> is located at 4446 Entrepot Boulevard just off Capital Circle SW with a 41-thousand square foot warehouse. The food bank is linked with dozens of small food pantries and partner agencies, and it always needs donations and volunteers. Click here<\/a> to see a list of locations and times where free food is available.<\/p>\n The impacts of the 43-day government shutdown and the loss of SNAP benefits are far reaching. On Speaking Of, we hear about a group that has been around for almost four years and is stepping up to help even more.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there\u2019s a time in everyone\u2019s life where you have a decision to choose either empathy or apathy,\u201d says Nathan Pugh, president and co-founder of Little Sunshine Pantries. His group delivers to families and has also repurposed old newspaper stands that act as micro panties for anyone needing food.<\/p>\n