Food banks and faith-based organizations 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 Nov. 1 as America grapples with the longest government shutdown in history.
As Republican and Democratic lawmakers continue to fight 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 who are hungry.
On October 30, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries announced that it has created an emergency program 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 Dec. 15.
Global Ministries leaders say the grants are intended to inspire acts of compassion and an answer to 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 organizations 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 Neighbors” program were made available through the United Methodist Voluntary Service Program. Global Ministries is also working on a large grant with an established partner, Feeding America, to address broader U.S. needs.
Approved grants will be dispersed within three weeks of approval to provide immediate support to local food ministries at a critical time.