Food Banks Aid Hundreds of Thousands Amid US Government Shutdown

Across the country, food banks have launched emergency pop-up distributions and special centers to feed furloughed federal workers and people who could lose SNAP benefits if the government shutdown extends past Nov. 1. In Houston, the Houston Food Bank staged drive-through distributions at HISD Barnett Stadium and outlined a three-pronged response — mass events, replenished USDA commodities and purchased produce, and donor support (including H‑E‑B) — to help roughly 425,000 local SNAP-dependent residents, with volunteers and Rep. Al Green assisting. Similar efforts are underway nationwide: Food Bank for NYC held pop-ups serving federal workers near LaGuardia while noting 1.8 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP; Mid-South Food Bank, the Food Bank of North Alabama and others in Memphis, Huntsville and Tacoma are running targeted distributions (some requiring government ID/badges) and handing out food boxes that can provide dozens of meals. Organizers report many attendees are first-time recipients, dozens of federal workers have already missed paychecks, and leaders warn of a looming “SNAP crisis” if benefits pause on Nov. 1. Food banks emphasize their logistical capacity and community supports but say local relief cannot substitute for federal funding and urged Congress and the administration to resolve the shutdown promptly.