Pop-up food drive emerges in Washington amid SNAP benefit concerns
As the government shutdown continues, pop-up food drives are appearing across the country, including on the National Mall.
As the government shutdown continues, pop-up food drives are appearing across the country, including on the National Mall.
As the government shutdown continues, pop-up food drives are appearing across the country, including on the National Mall.
A federal judge in Boston today questioned the Trump administration's argument that SNAP benefits can simply be suspended during the shutdown, as several states push back, urging the use of emergency funds to maintain food assistance.
Pop-up food drives are appearing across the country to ensure people don't miss a meal, including in Washington, D.C., where "The People's Pantry" is set up on the National Mall. Furloughed federal workers and volunteers are collecting food for anyone in need, including SNAP recipients who may lose benefits on Saturday and federal workers who haven't been paid.
"We are trying to do our small part while also calling on the administration to do what they are completely able to do and use the emergency funds to keep the food stamp provide going through November," said Alexis Goldstein from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
SNAP is based on income, requiring families to be near the poverty level to qualify, which is roughly $31,000 a year for a family of four. About 42 million Americans use SNAP, which includes one in eight people, most of whom are working families with children, seniors, or people with disabilities.
The USDA has stated it cannot legally use emergency funds to support SNAP during the shutdown.
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