Government Shutdown Strands SNAP Recipients, Pressures Food Banks

As the recent government shutdown halted Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, food banks have become lifelines for many struggling to put meals on their tables. The Flagstaff Family Food Center is witnessing this surge firsthand, with volunteers diligently preparing meals to meet the increased demand.

Army veteran Troy Sandstedt, who relies on SNAP, found himself in a bind without his expected benefits. “I know exactly how many days of food I got, and how far I’m going to have to stretch it,” Sandstedt explains. “It has left me basically with no food in my house, stressing a lot. Then I found the food bank and, well, at least I can get food here.” After a car accident left him unable to work for DoorDash, Sandstedt, like many others, turned to the food bank for support.

Flagstaff Family Food Center’s culinary program senior manager, CJ Ivie, reported that over 51,000 meals were distributed in October, surpassing typical numbers for a month that usually sees reduced activity. “That’s usually a slower month for us, and that’s kind of when we see a fall off. So yeah, breaking records in months that should be slowing down,” Ivie notes.

With many SNAP beneficiaries trying to stretch their last month’s benefits, the center is bracing for even more in need. Ivie anticipates a rise in visitors, stating, “I do think that we’re going to see an increase in people. At least I’m going to be prepared for that. And hopefully people, in this time of uncertainty, not knowing what they’re going to get, use us as that resource.”

Meanwhile, the Trump administration aims to resume SNAP benefits, albeit at a reduced rate of half the usual amount. This adjustment could take time as states work to recalculate and distribute the funds.