Families Are Still Going Hungry After the Shutdown

Here’s how you can help this holiday season

The longest government shutdown in history brought national attention to the issue of food insecurity in America.

In the United States, 13.5% of households (approximately 18 million) are food insecure. Forty-two million people – including 16 million children – receive SNAP benefits.

As food banks struggle to meet the high demand for Thanksgiving due to inflation and reduced government funding, many families will face challenges this holiday season.

How Can I Help?

• Donate: Make a financial contribution to your local food bank.

• Volunteer: Give your time to help with tasks like sorting food or packing meals.

• Give food: Drop off non-perishable items, especially holiday staples like turkeys, stuffing, and canned goods.

• Mutual aid: If money’s tight, that’s okay. Helping a neighbor or sharing a meal also makes a meaningful difference.

• Spread the word: Share information about local food banks and the services they offer to help others find support.

Your actions can help fight hunger, but remember – and tell your friends – that charity cannot replace government nutrition assistance.

For example, for every meal provided by Feeding America’s national network of food banks, SNAP provides nine. Reach out to your local representatives and voice your support for programs that address food insecurity.

How Can I Find Help?

• Visit the Feeding America website to locate a food bank in your area: Simply enter your ZIP code to discover nearby locations, their operating hours, and available services.

• Contact your local food bank or pantry to ask about holiday meal programs or other assistance options they may offer.

How Can I Learn More?

If you missed last week’s podcast episode, our guest Lily Pond shared how she went from never being involved in any kind of activism to forming a volunteer group to help her local food pantry. And then, when she lost her job last month, her community was there to help her in return.

Lily shared some tips on how to get involved (even as an introvert!), so make sure you check out that episode if you haven’t listened yet.