For 43 days, 1.4 million federal workers lived without pay, 42 million low-income families were forced to survive without food benefits, and thousands of airline flights were delayed or cancelled. Although the government shutdown has now ended and SNAP recipients are expected to receive their full benefits for November, the temporary suspension of benefits raised concerns regarding food insecurity and assistance across America. Is the government really doing all it can to help its struggling citizens?
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), otherwise known as food stamps, provides low-income families with Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards that are then used to purchase different forms of protein, vegetables, fruit, dairy products, and bread monthly. However, during the recent government shutdown, SNAP was temporarily suspended to preserve federal funds, leaving a multitude of recipients scrambling to provide basic necessities for their families. Although Woodgrove High School staff members are not made aware of which students receive benefits, they still understand that many families were hit hard by the suspension. As Woodgrove’s family liaison, Ms. Deana Czaban’s primary role is to help guide struggling families by connecting them to the school or outside resources. Czaban stated, “There has definitely been an uptick in food concerns from SNAP Benefit issues.”
In addition to SNAP recipients, many federal workers are still trying to recover financially, as they have not yet received their pay. Woodgrove’s social worker, Ms. Kelley Trenary, works one-on-one with students who need additional support, and recognizes the difficulties families may experience during the holidays from the government shutdown. Trenary expressed, “Thanksgiving may be tough with the government shutdown. If families don’t get their money back, the holidays may be rough.”
In an attempt to help struggling families properly celebrate Thanksgiving, Czaban partners with Loudoun Hunger Relief and delivers festive food kits to any families that may need assistance. “There is a bag for each of the families that we’re working with who need it,” Czaban explained. With the leftover funds from Thanksgiving, Czaban tries to provide any families in need with gift card money to help keep their students fed over school breaks. Czaban explained, “Whatever is leftover from Thanksgiving I then roll towards helping families in need through a long break. We try to do whatever we can do to supplement them.”
Through the Woodgrove food pantry, any student in need can receive food to take home after school or on weekends. With Thanksgiving approaching, the Student Council Association (SCA), advised by Mr. Thomas Scott, planned to hold a food drive for the holiday. However, when they realized that the Woodgrove food pantry was running low, they shifted their efforts into restocking it with items such as canned goods or easily cookable or microwaveable foods. “I think it’s really important now rather than ever that students are aware of the needs of those around them,” Scott expressed. “Ideally, you want to see them respond to that and actually care about the people that they go to school with.”
Although the longest government shutdown in the history of America has finally come to a close, many families are still financially recovering. The temporary suspension of income and SNAP benefits has resulted in financial whiplash for many families, and it will take some time for them to regain their bearings. Just because someone may live in the wealthiest county in America does not mean that they are not struggling financially. “I know that a lot of students may take it for granted that we live in a community that can show a lot of affluence, but there are areas of need, especially right now,” Scott stressed. It is important to lend a helping hand when possible, whether that is done by donating food, clothes, or money. Students at Woodgrove should not have to learn on an empty stomach.