Fawn Anderson, a resident of Eau Claire, never thought she’d need food assistance. But after fleeing a domestic violence situation, she found herself relying on $263 a month to get by. “At least I didn’t have to stress about food,” she shared with WPR.
Now, she’s one of over 700,000 Wisconsinites anxious about their federal food assistance during a government shutdown. “It’s like a rollercoaster—some days I feel hopeful and other days, I don’t know how to prepare,” she said.
Fawn volunteers with the Feed My People Food Bank and often fields calls from people seeking groceries. When asked about a potential lapse in her benefits, she said she’d turn to local food pantries. “It frustrates me to see politicians bicker while people could be going hungry,” she added. “It feels like they don’t care.”
Nationwide, about 42 million people rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), called FoodShare in Wisconsin. Recently, a notice from the USDA announced no benefits would be issued for November due to political gridlock in Congress. According to AP News, there was some hope when federal judges ordered the Trump administration to find a way to keep SNAP running, but clarity on payments remains uncertain.
In Wisconsin, the Department of Health Services administers these programs, but they depend on federal funding. A statement from the agency confirmed “benefits will continue to be delayed,” leaving many in limbo.
Clay McKee, experiencing homelessness, echoes similar worries. He’s grateful for the $300 he receives from FoodShare, but he voiced concern for others: “What if someone pregnant needs food for their baby? It just doesn’t seem fair,” he said.
Many folks in the community are stepping up to help, though. “People know how to get by,” McKee added. “We might just go fishing more, you know?”
Lillian Santiago, who supports her seven children in Milwaukee County, shares her struggles. Having juggled three jobs, she finds it hard to make ends meet without SNAP. “Food is so expensive now. It’s a real challenge,” she lamented.
Donte Jones, another SNAP recipient, spent Monday hopping between food pantries to stock up ahead of a potentially tough winter. “With the holidays coming, I worry about keeping food in our freezers,” he mentioned, echoing the concerns of many.
This situation underscores a growing sentiment among Americans regarding food security, especially as inflation continues to rise. A recent survey indicated that 60% of families are worried about affording groceries. For many, public assistance programs like SNAP are more than just support; they are vital lifelines, and without them, the uncertainty only grows.
For more information on food assistance programs, you can visit the USDA’s official site for updates.
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