Food banks and faith-based organisations that offer hunger relief are seeing an increase in the number of people lining up for help, particularly since Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were halted on 1 November, as the United States grapples with the longest government shutdown in history.
As Republican and Democratic lawmakers continue to clash over a funding bill that would reopen the government, low-income and vulnerable households are caught in the crossfire. An estimated 42 million Americans have lost benefits that help to pay for groceries. With no immediate end in sight, churches are stepping up nationwide to help those in need.
On 30th October, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries announced that it has created an emergency programme offering up to $2,000 in immediate grants to United Methodist food ministries, pantries, and ministry partners across the United States. Churches and food ministries can apply for one of 50 grants through 15 December.
Global Ministries leaders say the grants are intended to inspire acts of compassion and to answer Jesus’s call in Matthew 23:35: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”
“Already, community-based organisations and food ministries are reporting surges in requests for assistance, as individuals and families face critical decisions about daily living expenses,” said Roland Fernandes, General Secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR.
He added: “The further loss of food assistance benefits will have devastating consequences for millions of families.”
Grants being offered through Global Ministries’ “Feeding Our Neighbours” programme were made available through the United Methodist Voluntary Service Programme. Global Ministries is also working on a large grant with an established partner, Feeding America, to address broader US needs.
Approved grants will be dispersed within three weeks of approval to provide immediate support to local food ministries at a critical time.