On Nov. 1, millions of Americans partially lost their SNAP benefits, creating a new extreme food security crisis for anyone who relies on the lifesaving nature of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Due to the government shutdown, the USDA has stated that it no longer has the funds to fund food aid. This came after the Trump administration previously refused to allocate emergency funding to the Department of Agriculture for food assistance programs. The primary beneficiaries of this necessary aid are children, people with disabilities, seniors, and struggling families.
As millions of Americans deal with the crippling anxiety and sacrifice that comes with extreme food insecurity, lawmakers in Washington, D.C. are continuing to extend the government shutdown, playing partisan games with countless lives. Additionally, anyone seeking information on the USDA website is instantly greeted by a message blaming Senate Democrats for the shutdown.
However, the money for federal food assistance is still there, with the Trump administration allotting an additional $8 billion for military paychecks during the shutdown, and the USDA continues to argue they cannot use their $5-6 billion in contingency funds for SNAP.
Recently, two federal judges ruled on Oct. 31that withholding the essential funding was unconstitutional and that the Trump administration must immediately provide the necessary funding. The administration has since claimed that while benefits will be distributed, they will only be half the regular amount and will be delayed. However, in a recent Truth Social post, President Trump claimed benefits would only be redeemed when the shutdown ends.
In Oregon, over 750,000 people rely on SNAP, and governor Tina Kotek announced that all Oregon participants would not receive aid due to the shutdown. Other states, such as California and Colorado, among others, have pledged millions in funding for food banks. However, Oregon is one of the two dozen states suing the Trump administration for the refusal to allocate necessary funds to the USDA for food assistance.
According to the Oregon Food Bank, they are currently working in coordination with Governor Kotek to provide $5 million in emergency funds to food banks. They also said that regular people can help by donating money (not food), which allows food banks to buy food in bulk.
Recently, some Portland businesses have gone viral on platforms such as TikTok for pledging free food to anyone who loses SNAP benefits. One example is Heretic Coffee (5120 SE 28th Ave), which has since raised over $86,000 to fund free food, primarily for people who have lost federal assistance. To receive a free meal, ask for the “Snap Breakfast,” and you are guaranteed food, no questions asked.
Students in PPS are guaranteed food at school. Any PPS student can receive breakfast and lunch free of charge from their cafeteria.
As to when people will receive their normal SNAP benefits is still unclear, as the government shutdown has raged into its fifth week with no end in sight.
For more information on where you can receive food if your benefits are in limbo, visit oregonfoodbank.org.
