SNAP Pause in November Strains Nonprofits

A federal government shutdown is set to pause SNAP benefits in November, prompting nonprofits and state officials across multiple states to scramble to meet surging need. In Southern New England, New Bedford’s House of Hope and Catholic Charities report empty shelves as veterans, cancer patients and families stock up, and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced an additional $4 million from the state Emergency Food Assistance Program to help community partners. In Omaha, Youth Emergency Services says pantry requests and street outreach for 16–25-year-olds have nearly doubled and is appealing for donations. New Mexico is loading about $30 million onto EBT cards to cover roughly the first 10 days of benefits — including at least $100 for elderly and disabled recipients — and has joined other states in legal action over SNAP contingency funding. Food banks in Florida’s Volusia‑Flagler region and North Carolina’s Cumberland County warn tens of thousands will be affected (about 75,000 and roughly 70,000 people, respectively) and say charitable organizations cannot substitute for SNAP’s scale. Nonprofits are urging broad community donations and state interventions to bridge the gap while warning that charitable efforts alone cannot replace SNAP’s comprehensive support.