Copyright ABC News
As more than 42 million low-income Americans who rely on SNAP benefits, including 16 million children, brace for the potential freeze in food assistance due to the government shutdown, food banks and other organizations across the country have scaled up efforts and called communities to action to help those in need of critical nutritional assistance. How to donate food and resources for Americans reliant on SNAP The possible disruption to SNAP funding on Nov. 1 would have a direct impact on beneficiaries of the food assistance program, and has already caused a ripple effect on the country's food system, some organizations say. Chefs, food rescue organizations and nonprofit food banks have been outspoken about the increased need for support from communities to donate at a time when the nation's nutritional safety net is frayed. From food banks to food rescues and community fridges, see where you can donate or volunteer to help in the list below. Feeding America To support families during the shutdown, click here to donate to Feeding America's Community Response Campaign. "Food banks and community partners will do everything in their power to help -- this is what they do every day. The stark reality is that for every meal the Feeding America network provides, SNAP provides nine," Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, told ABC News in a statement Wednesday. "That means that some food banks are already having to turn people away as more families than ever are seeking support, many for the first time because of the shutdown." California Association of Food Banks With the federal government is shut down, the organization that represents 42 food banks throughout the state said it will continue to operate and offer food and support to families in need. Click here to donate. City Harvest The CEO of the largest food rescue resource in New York City, Jilly Stephens, penned an open letter about the halting of funds for SNAP recipients and in a new statement to ABC News on Wednesday said this expected disruption "would have a devastating impact on the 1.8 million New Yorkers and millions more across the country who rely on this critical program to feed their families." Click here to donate to the New York-based nonprofit food rescue. Food Recovery Network For anyone who owns a food business -- or may have extra resources -- donation distribution channels like the Food Recovery Network will help redirect surplus food to those in need. For restaurants, schools, caterers, grocers and other small-scale donors, click here to learn how to create an account and donate food. For large-scale industry suppliers like food manufacturers or farmers, click here to set up a donation inquiry. Where to get food assistance amid SNAP benefits freeze From community stocked fridges to restaurant-backed food rescue sites, here are a handful of places dedicated to helping at-risk Americans stay fed. City Harvest "At City Harvest, we know from experience that even a single missed paycheck or delayed benefit can force families to seek food assistance," Stephens told ABC News. "We have been distributing food at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, and near LaGuardia and JFK airports to support federal workers impacted by the shutdown." City Harvest has added distributions through food pantry partners in areas with high numbers of SNAP recipients. "As the government shutdown continues, even more of our fellow New Yorkers could find themselves in need of food assistance. No matter what happens in the weeks to come, City Harvest is committed to being here rescuing and delivering as much food as we can for anyone in our city who needs it," Stephens said. Click here for a city-wide map to locate free distribution sites that include soup kitchens, community fridges and food pantries around the New York area. Feeding America Click here to find a local food bank from the vast Feeding America network of local partners. "If you are navigating challenges, your efforts to care for yourself and your loved ones are seen and respected. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not shame," the CEO told ABC News. "These resources exist because communities care about one another -- local food banks and church pantries are there for everyone who needs them, whether for a few days or longer. No one should have to face hunger alone." FoodFinder The nationwide free-to-use resource and nonprofit helps connect people in need to nearby food pantries across the U.S. Click here to find a location near you. Freedge For those worried about getting food on the table, this nonprofit sharing resource points to a network of community refrigerators stocked and cared for by communities that are available 24/7 to anyone. Click here to locate a community fridge or share the map with Americans who may be in need of finding food assistance. DoorDash The food delivery platform announced an emergency food response to deliver 1 million free meals through Project DASH, the company's effort to power free delivery on behalf of its Feeding America food bank partners, in November. DoorDash said it will also waive its delivery and service fees for an estimated 300,000 grocery orders for SNAP recipients at Sprouts, Dollar General, Schnucks, Food Lion, Giant Foods, The GIANT Company, Hannaford, Stop & Shop, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle and Wegmans. The company said the move comes in response "overwhelming demand" felt by food banks nationwide amid the federal shutdown. Gopuff The on-demand delivery service responded to the ongoing government shutdown by offering SNAP recipients a $50 credit for SNAP-eligible items for free, delivered in as fast as 15 minutes. In its announcement Tuesday, Gopuff said it will cap the total relief at $10 million.
