(WHTM)– State officials are telling SNAP recipients that November benefits cannot be paid due to the federal government shutdown.
If November benefits are not paid, it will be a big burden on recipients and the food banks that help serve them. The shutdown has lasted four weeks, and food banks are preparing for what’s to come.
Lisa Rashid of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank said that they are monitoring what is happening on the state and federal levels very closely. The food bank serves around 400,000 families a month across its 27-county territory.
She said leaders are having serious conversations about making adjustments for those who need to be fed while navigating uncertainties amidst no November payments and budget cuts.
In the last two years alone, food insecurity numbers have gone up 44%, according to Rashid, and she said that number will go up again next month.
The food bank is bracing for impact and looking to the community for donations to help.
Rashid said they are able to stretch $1 into four meals which is very efficient with prices at the grocery store.
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