Not only has SNAP and Food Bank funds been cut but the Shut Down is making it worse, by threatening WIC Funds. The federal shutdown puts nutrition aid for millions of new parents at risk. All I can do is donate the little I can to our local food banks, which I have been doing though my local Indivisible groups weekly rallies. Twice a month I drop my empty egg cartons and some period products at the Food Bank. This is how I have been trying to stay grounded and sane.
Many Indivisible and 50501 events are including donation events for their local food banks and if the shutdown lasts they will be more important. Additionally it disproves the narrative that we are evil radicals!
The several local businesses in my area do their best urging donations to the Food Bank and supporting it’s big Fund Raiser in December. We also have 2 www.littlefreepantry.org which have been receiving donations regularly, from what I can see driving by the one in my neighborhood. There are also small food pantries at the college and community college in town, which like the little free pantries started during the pandemic. The main food bank in town is only open 4 hours a day M-F, so the pantries pick up the slack, especially for those without cars. The Food Bank also provides free lunches twice a week at the local Knight of Columbus hall and provides backpacks for food insecure kids at school. Donating cash to the Food Banks is important but it’s not the only way to help.
Every town is a little different but it seems people are doing what they can to help. See What’s a Free Little Food Pantry? . Most of the people I see at our little free pantry are trying to hold on to their small apartments or “couch surfing”, kitchens are minimal. Ours is in a food desert, so we drop on Sundays when there is no bus service. Hard boiled eggs, bananas, snack bars, ramen bowls. tea/sugar, oatmeal, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, tampons and TP, stuff to help people get through the day. The “couch surfers” I have talked to say the pantry gives them items to add to the household they are sharing. I have heard the pantry on the other side of town serves more families with children, people who donate there are probably dropping different items.
Dining and Cooking