The government shutdown has put at risk one of the most effective ways to help families and children: through federal nutrition programs, such as SNAP, WIC, and the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program, which are vital resources for families in need.

But the Trump Administration has already warned that there are no funds for SNAP in November as long as the government shutdown continues and a joint resolution (CR) providing funding at least until November 21 is not passed in Congress.

This puts more than 42 million low-income Americans, including 16 million children, at risk of not having enough food. They depend on SNAP benefits to pay for their food, which has become increasingly important amid soaring food prices under President Trump.

Interview with Mariana Alvarez Joyal, of the No Kid Hungry Campaign

Mariana Alvarez Joyal, Senior Manager, Media and Engagement at the No Kid Hungry Campaign, in an interview with La Opinion, pointed out that this is an emergency situation because if the Department of Agriculture does not act immediately to remedy the funding for SNAP food stamps, the families who depend on these benefits may not receive them or may receive them late, which puts them at risk of going hungry. In a survey conducted in September by No Kid Hungry among families who depend on these benefits, the parents surveyed said that they “are working harder to put food on the table because rising food prices and the deteriorating job market have made it difficult to feed their children and improve their overall health,” Alvarez Joyal mentioned. The No Kid Hungry expert noted that 1 in 3 parents surveyed said they were worried that their family would run out of food before the end of the month because their wages are not increasing at the same rate as rising food prices.Mariana Alvarez Joyal told La Opinion that No Kid Hungry insists that its first call is to the Department of Agriculture to release the contingency funds that exist precisely for emergency situations like this. This is an emergency because food banks cannot meet the demand created without SNAP,the expert emphasized.

No Kid Hungry highlights that there are tools the Department of Agriculture can implement to reallocate the necessary funding to cover November's food stamp benefits.

And the second appeal is to Congress, for a bipartisan agreement to fund the government, even if it's a temporary budget, to resolve this crisis, because food is a right, and to ensure food security for millions of children in this country, there are no solutions that can replace this program.

“That contingency fund has around $6 billion, and one month's SNAP benefits are approximately $8 billion. That's why the USDA needs to release the contingency funds and the additional funds available from Section 32, which receives tariff funds to support subsidized food programs, and some of those have already been used. “Funds to finance the WIC food program in October,” explained Mariana Alvarez Joyal. We are facing an unfortunately historic moment; millions of people, and above all, to millions of families and the millions of children who depend on this financial assistance to buy their food. Mariana Alvarez Joyal, – Sr. Manager, Media and Engagement of the No Kid Hungry Campaign

Do you at No Kid Hungry have any solutions planned to help compensate for the lack of food for those who depend on SNAP?

“Our primary message is for families to know that, for now, those who still have food stamps available should continue using them and can continue using them in November. Those who qualify to receive them and haven't yet done so should enroll in the program so they can receive them when they are approved and this benefit is available again,” said the expert.

Regarding SNAP, the program is available to people who are citizens or residents, who have a Green Card for a minimum of 5 years.

For other nutrition programs, such as WIC, as well as school meals, eligibility will depend solely on family income.

The federal school meal program may be support for families with school-age children,And there are also community and local response resources, Alvarez Joyales explained, but “food banks are already struggling and dealing with a greater number of families needing their resources, and they are not a viable solution to replace the government assistance provided by food stamps.” For example, you can call 211 to find information about available resources, as well as community food networks and pantries (press 8 for Spanish). 211 is a general helpline; they can tell you which organizations offer free meals or food in your area. You can also search for food banks online (English only) at Feeding America. SNAP recipients will also be able to access DoorDash without paying additional delivery or service fees.

Repercussions of the SNAP Payment Suspension Spread

Alvarez Joyal contextualized the repercussions that the November SNAP suspension will also have for local economies: “On the other hand, we are talking about local economies, all those businesses, supermarkets, and stores that depend on the consumption of beneficiaries who use their food stamps at their establishments.”

“These local economies are going to see a gigantic decline in income, since there will be millions of families who will not be able to use their benefits to buy food. So, it affects the beneficiaries, it affects local businesses, and supermarkets.”

“Second, we don't know if there is a mechanism for states to directly deposit that money onto EBT cards since the Department of Agriculture issued a statement saying they were not authorizing any state agencies to send the benefit delivery template to EBT servers.”

“And third, there is no guarantee that there will be a reimbursement of those state funds from the federal government.”

“That is why we are facing an urgent need and a precipice of hunger for millions of people in the country.”

Alvarez Joyal concluded by noting that this “is a national tragedy, nothing else.”

“In a nation as prosperous as ours, where the resources exist, “There can be no room for families to go hungry, for families to have to grapple with such difficult decisions, and above all, for children, who are the future of this nation, not to have guaranteed access to food on the table,” Alvarez Joyal stated.

How Food Insecurity Affects Latinos in the United States

Causes of Food Insecurity in Latino Communities

Latinos often face racism and discrimination. This can make it difficult to obtain good jobs, fair wages, housing, education, and food.

Much information and resources do not reflect the language or culture of many Latinos. This can make it difficult to meet basic needs.

Immigration policies in the United States can make it difficult for Latinos to find good jobs and access other resources. Fear of deportation can prevent people from using food programs.

Food insecurity data cited above These figures are from the Department of Agriculture's “Food and Nutrition Assistance Overview: Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report” because the 2024 data has not yet been released.

Statement from Share Our Strength and its No Kid Hungry Campaign

In a statement released Monday, Anne Filipic, executive director of Share Our Strength and its No Kid Hungry Campaign, noted:

“We are on the brink of a hunger precipice like never before. For the first time in SNAP history, nearly 42 million Americans, including almost 16 million children, are at risk of losing their food benefits if November SNAP benefits are not issued. This would be an unprecedented lapse in food assistance, especially urgent given the rising cost of food.

“We need our elected leaders to step up and find a bipartisan solution to reopen the government. But let's be clear: Americans simply cannot go without food while they wait for that to happen.”

“The USDA has the funds and the authority to ensure that November SNAP benefits are not interrupted. There is a contingency fund precisely for emergency times like this, and the USDA must act immediately to release those funds and transfer the available funds to SNAP.

“Children cannot wait another day,” Filipic stated.