Millions face food insecurity as US shutdown halts SNAP funding

Houston: Around one in eight Americans who rely on government food assistance have been left uncertain about their next meal as the US government shutdown threatens to cut funding for the federal food stamp scheme.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (SNAP), which provides vital support to millions of low-income households, was due to lose its funding on Saturday amid the ongoing political deadlock in Washington.

Among those affected is Eric Dunham, a 36-year-old father of two from Houston who became disabled following an accident. He relies on SNAP to survive.

“If I don’t get food stamps, I can’t eat,” Dunham told AFP, explaining that after paying his monthly expenses, he is left with just $24.

“That’s it,” he added. “The rest goes to child support.”

The shutdown began on 1 October after Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a federal budget. President Donald Trump’s administration subsequently announced that SNAP would no longer be funded — the first interruption in the programme’s six-decade history.

However, a federal judge intervened on Friday, ordering the government to use emergency funds to keep SNAP running. Trump later said he intended to comply, but many beneficiaries have already faced disruption as bureaucracy slowed the reinstatement of aid.

Dunham, who works part-time in the service industry, was among those who received help from local businesses. On Saturday afternoon, he was given sandwiches and drinks distributed by Petit Beignets and Tapioca, a restaurant in northwest Houston.

“There’s a lot of layoffs going around, and on top of that, we have the government shutdown and the SNAP benefits — nobody knew what was going to happen,” said the restaurant’s owner, Nhan Ngo, 37.

“I made sandwiches for someone who comes and has SNAP benefits, and at least can have one meal for sure.”

Although Dunham could not use his SNAP card to repay Ngo, he offered him a heartfelt hug in gratitude.

Thousands Queue for Food Aid

Elsewhere in Houston, thousands of residents queued in cars outside NRG Stadium, where the Houston Food Bank was distributing fruit and non-perishable food items.

“The SNAP stoppage affects about 425,000 households just in the Houston area,” said the food bank’s president, Brian Greene. “So every community is trying to step up to help these families get by in the meantime.”

Despite the court order allowing SNAP payments to resume, Greene warned that it would take several days for states to restart the programme, as many had already exhausted their funds.

The lapse left people like Sandra Guzman, a 36-year-old mother of two, without access to her benefits.

“This is not something extraordinary or luxurious — this is something basic, like getting food for my kids,” she said. “I’d say food stamps represent 40 per cent of my expenses.”

‘We Need the Help’

Among those seeking assistance was Mary Willoughby, a 72-year-old Houston resident who waited in line with her granddaughter.

“We need our food stamps. We need our social security. We need our Medicare,” she said. “If you cut all that out, it’s going to be nothing but a big war because people are gonna start robbing. We need the help.”

Another woman, Carolyn Guy, 51, criticised what she saw as misplaced priorities in Washington.

“Why are you taking our stuff from us? We work hard,” she said. “You can take our food stamps, but here you’re getting ready to build a ballroom? Doesn’t make sense to me.”