While the federal government has agreed to provide partial benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after funding was set to lapse this month, lengthy delays are expected for many low-income families who rely on this aid.
Until that assistance arrives, many families are turning to food drives for help, as they did on Nov. 3, when they went to the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry. The nonprofit holds these distribution events twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, early in the morning.
A variety of food items are available, including cereal, canned fruit, rice, protein bars and pet food. Other essential items are also provided, such as diapers, toothpaste and shampoo.
Congressman Brad Sherman was at the most recent food distribution event and spoke to the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol a little more than an hour after the federal government’s announcement that it would be partially funding SNAP.
He noted that the number of people at the food pantry numbered in the “hundreds,” saying, “There’s a reason why we’ve seen a very substantial increase in people at the food bank. That’s the next step for people [facing food insecurity], and the people were grateful to get an assortment of food. … But that’s not a solution, obviously. We have to get this government open.”
But food insecurity is just one of the things that has people worried, Sherman continued. His office has received plenty of calls from concerned constituents about the increase in insurance premiums. He added that people are also worried about the safety of air travel, as the government shutdown has caused a shortage of air traffic controllers, including at the Hollywood Burbank Airport.
“I’m willing for our leadership to be flexible in the negotiations,” Sherman said. “We’re not going to get everything we want. We’re not going to get everything the American people need, … but you’ve got to start negotiating. I can’t tell you that [the government shutdown] is going to end this month. I wish I could.”
Until the shutdown ends, Sherman doesn’t think SNAP recipients will receive the other half of the funds, which he also doesn’t see happening until President Donald Trump sits down with Democratic leadership and negotiates a deal.
But there might be some hope for families who rely on SNAP. Sherman said that if the elections on Tuesday point to a “strong repudiation” of Trump, it might put pressure on him to negotiate.
The results of the elections, as of Wednesday, swung heavily in favor of the Democrats. In California, voters said “yes” to Proposition 50, which will allow the state to redraw its congressional map ahead of the midterm elections in an effort to gain more seats for Democrats. This was in response to Trump getting Texas to redistrict to maintain Republican control over Congress.
New York elected democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as its next mayor over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and the Democrats won the races for governor in both New Jersey and Virginia.
While this is a positive sign, it’s still unknown if and when negotiations may occur to end the shutdown. Although he knows it’s not a permanent solution, Sherman encourages families to take advantage of food distribution events until a deal is made.
A Call for More Aid
As SNAP recipients continue to struggle nationally, organizations have turned to state leaders, calling on them to assist low-income families.
In California, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) put out a statement asking that Gov. Gavin Newsom call for a state of emergency and authorize the use of state funds to cover SNAP benefits; that LA Mayor Karen Bass, the county Board of Supervisors and LA Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Alberto Carvalho stand with educators in demanding action from Newsom; and that all state leaders stand up against the Trump administration “for their inhumane policies.”
“Every day, educators see the impact of poverty and hunger in our classrooms,” the statement read. “For many LAUSD families experiencing housing insecurity or living paycheck to paycheck, SNAP benefits have been a lifeline. Ending this program amid a government shutdown that has already taken paychecks from federal workers is not just cruel, it is a deliberate policy choice to widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots.
“While local food banks, school cafeterias and mutual aid efforts will once again step up to do what our government refuses to do, we know it will not be enough.”
The North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry is located at 11634 Moorpark St., Studio City. Their food distribution hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday and Friday.
To learn more, go to https://nhifp.org/.