Copyright NBC 5 Chicago
With a continuing government shutdown leading to an expected halt to food benefits for millions, local communities are stepping up efforts to help residents. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a benefits program that serves millions across the country, but the federal government is threatening to suspend benefits as the longest shutdown in U.S. history continues. At the state level, Illinois officials are looking to boost the availability of funds for food pantries ahead of the SNAP pause, as Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order directing $20 million to state food banks. In Chicago’s suburbs, numerous facilities are hoping to step up their offerings to residents in need amidst a time of increasing anxiety and fear. The Rich Township Food Pantry, located at 22013 Governors Highway in Richton Park, offers food distribution on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while officials are pushing to increase the amount of food they can offer as SNAP benefits halt this weekend. Officials plan to add a third day of food distribution once November 1 rolls around, and they hope that benefits will be restored soon, as thousands of area residents face food shortages. On Thursday, the parking lot of the facility was filled with cars as families tried to stock up before those SNAP benefits were stopped. Chicago Politics “We just trying to make it,” Tamarr Walker told NBC Chicago. “It be like this all the time, especially now with the economy the way it is, with the government things. People are just trying to make ends meet. I have two kids at home, and I’ve just gotta make sure we’re okay.” According to federal data, a total of 42 million Americans will lose access to SNAP benefits on Saturday when funding for the program is halted. Nearly two million of those residents live in Illinois. “Anxiety is high. People are truly concerned,” Kisha McCaskill, a Cook County commissioner, said. “We are talking about in just some of my areas, over 40,0000 people will be without benefits.” That includes people like Ann Stuart, a SNAP recipient who says her Social Security checks have been inadequate in keeping up with rapid increases in the cost of living. “Everything is expensive,” she said. “I don’t come every month but it’s been tight lately, so I thought I’d come stock up.” As SNAP benefits are paused, Rich Township is seeking volunteers and donations to step up its efforts to provide food for residents in need. “We got to work until 10, 12 tonight, and we going to work, to get people here, and we’ll set it up,” township supervisor Calvin Jordan said. For residents outside of Richton Park, the Greater Chicago Food Depository has a list of pantries and programs that can offer food services during the government shutdown. Numerous restaurants are also offering discounted or free meals during the shutdown, including Tazza Italian Ristorante in suburban Homer Glen, which is offering free pasta, salad and bread to SNAP benefit holders beginning on Tuesday. We will add additional restaurants to this story as they become available.
