The pause in SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown offered some Capital Region residents a clearer understanding of how crucial the food assistance program is.
Because of the shutdown, SNAP benefits stopped Nov. 1 before the Trump administration agreed to restore partial funding following orders from federal judges. As of last week, Electronic Benefit Transfer cards were reloaded and participants can once again use their benefits. Regional Food Bank CEO Tom Nardacci said the situation underscored the impact of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“SNAP, in our service area, is the equivalent of about 36 million pounds of food per month. Annually, the food bank distributes about 50 million pounds,” Nardacci said. “So if you think about that, we couldn’t even cover two months of what SNAP covers. It’s important that the government fund this program.”
More cuts are expected as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which changes work requirements and will make some current recipients ineligible.
