“I’m a single stay at home mother of two children ages 2 years old and 5 months old. I am also disabled and unable to work to help provide for my children, such as food. We were told our November benefits are at risk, and I’m scared for my family. We receive WIC and SNAP benefits. We depend on both to be able to eat monthly. My 5 month old son uses WIC for his special preemie formula and my 2 year old daughter uses it for the fruits, vegetables, and other must have daily nutrients she needs.  Our EBT puts our breakfast, lunch, and dinner on our table. Without our November benefits I am worried about how I will be able to feed my children this month and the weeks or months that are to follow. I’ve had to accept the fact that my children and I will have to go without a Thanksgiving dinner. We are heartbroken and scared.” -A., Cool Ridge, WV

Quick update: As a result of the shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also called Food Stamps or EBT) is about to run out of money. This would be devastating for families and harm our economy. Fortunately, there is a temporary solution, and your voice is critical! 

What’s happening? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a contingency fund available to fund SNAP in November, but is refusing to release the money. Your voice is needed to tell your Member of Congress to press the Trump Administration to release contingency funds immediately to pay for SNAP benefits in November! 

Please take a few seconds to sign on to our letter to Congress, telling them that they MUST put pressure on the Trump Administration to act quickly to ensure families can put food on the table in November. 

Let’s be clear: The USDA has the authority to use contingency and carryover funds to keep SNAP running through November, but has stated that they will NOT use these funds to prevent over 41 million people from going hungry next month. The USDA is putting politics over the needs of the American people; they are choosing to let millions of hard-working families go hungry in November– and face bare Thanksgiving tables. Families like A., in Springfield, MO: 

“I receive SNAP. As an only parent to a 6 and 4 year old with a very small support system, I need the help of food stamps. Affording everything from rent to utilities to basic everyday needs and things that come up everyday, food stamps help us get through every month. Especially since it’s impossible for me to work a full time job when I'm a full time parent. I work as much as I can but I have to be available for drop offs and pick ups from school; finding child care for evenings or nights is very difficult. But I do work and we are still scraping by every month even with food stamps, so I can’t imagine without it the impact that would have on us.”

Sign NOW to tell your Member of Congress to press the Trump Administration to release funds immediately to pay for SNAP benefits in November! 

Congress, which has the power to tax and spend, must press the USDA to use available funding to continue SNAP benefits. Any delay in benefits — especially during this time of rising grocery prices — would harm the over 40 million people who participate in SNAP, including 16 million children, 8 million older adults, and 4 million people with disabilities. Ensuring continued SNAP funding in November would mean more ability to make ends meet and buy essential food items, which in turn lifts businesses and the economy. Each dollar in federally funded SNAP benefits generates between $1.50 and $1.80 in economic activity – boosting farmers, retailers, and the economy. The Trump Administration must do their part to keep our economy growing by funding SNAP in November— which is good for everyone. 

Don’t forget to tell your Member of Congress to press the Trump Administration to release the SNAP contingency funding immediately to ensure families can put food on the table in November! 

The Trump Administration must prioritize people over politics and use every available mechanism, including utilizing its contingency reserves, to prevent widespread hunger in November and beyond.