Soup kitchens are already recording an increase in demand as tens of millions of families prepare for a freeze in their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The federal government shutdown will stop food aid payments on November 1st for about 42 million Americans, representing a new blow to low-income families already struggling with rising costs and reduced benefits.
When SNAP stamps run out this week, soup kitchens say they will face a demand they cannot meet on their own. This gap was expected to be further worsened by extensive changes to the SNAP eligibility conditions in the administrative tax and spending law, including expanded work requirements.
Soup kitchens have already been burdened by cuts in other similar programs.
“We’ve already witnessed the working class facing unprecedented attacks. What the government shutdown does is, instead of pouring water on the fire, it pours gasoline on it,” said George Matysik, executive director of the Share Food program.
The United States (U.S.) Department of Agriculture (USDA) has informed federal states that it will not provide November SNAP payments. This means that about 42 million people could be left without assistance and face a potential hunger crisis.
Democrats and organizations such as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) claim that the USDA has reserve funds that could cover November benefits.
However, according to U.S. media reports, the department stated that those funds cannot be used for regular benefits for the fiscal year 2026.
Dozens of federal states have warned that November benefits will not be distributed. Several state leaders, such as Hawaii Governor Josh Green, have approved other sources of assistance, but they are temporary solutions.
Karen Ehrens, U.S. policy manager at the Alliance to End Hunger, said that the USDA’s decision is difficult to understand.
“It is very frustrating that the government could jeopardize food access for 42 million people in such a short time,” she added.
CBPP President Sharon Parrott emphasized that the administration is legally obligated to use those reserve funds, stating that it could and should have taken steps several weeks ago to prepare.
The USDA announced on its website that “the well has run dry,” blaming the Democrats for “holding a blockade over healthcare for illegal immigrants and gender mutilation procedures.”
A senior White House official said that “the administration’s hands are now tied because of the radical Democratic shutdown.”
“We are approaching a turning point for Senate Democrats. Will they continue to stand by the far-left wing of the party, or reopen the government so that mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive timely WIC and SNAP payments?” said a USDA spokesperson in a statement.
For every meal provided by the U.S. soup kitchen network Feeding America, SNAP provides nine, the organization stated.
