As of Nov. 3, the Trump administration reported that they will restart the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), paying out half of the amount recipients normally anticipate. This move comes in response to public outcry following the announcement to cut all SNAP benefits for more than 42 million Americans during the month of November.
In their initial decision to cut benefits, the Trump administration announced that EBT cards used by SNAP would no longer be renewed this Thanksgiving season. The United States Department of Agriculture ordered states to stop issuing food stamp benefits for the month of November, after a Supreme Court decision paused lower courts from requiring these agencies to pay out Americans in full.
In California alone, more than 5.5 million people are supported by SNAP benefits. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his plan to deploy the use of the California National Guard in order to support struggling food banks in the state. Newsom, along with over 20 other states, has sued the Trump Administration for illegally withholding these SNAP food benefits from Americans.
“I’m proud to see courts agree that the Trump Administration has a legal responsibility to support the SNAP program. The USDA needs to release all available funding for this critical program immediately. We’re not going to sit idly by while families go hungry. It’s cruel, it’s immoral, and it’s beneath us as a nation. California will keep fighting to make sure people get the food assistance they need and deserve,” said Newsom.
How are local Angelenos responding to this crisis?
The Westchester Family YMCA has promoted its community project, FeedLA, with the mission of helping families and individuals facing food insecurity. The organization provides free meals and grocery deliveries to Angelenos affected by the government shutdown. According to their website, there is no YMCA membership required to donate or receive aid.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is also currently accepting donations for those affected by the SNAP benefit shutdown. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has an impact that reaches beyond city limits in partnering with other California based agencies to spread their resources.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has partnered with the Grace Resource relief center in Lancaster. Though this outreach may not solve the loss of SNAP benefits entirely, these organizations can aid local families struggling to make ends meet this holiday season. To stay updated on the state of SNAP in California, visit the California Department of Social Services for more information.
