Food banks are bracing for a surge of hungry people as potential USDA pause of SNAP benefits looms

""Food banks and pantries were already struggling after federal program cuts this year, but now they're bracing for a tsunami of hungry people if a pause in federal food aid to low-income people kicks in this weekend as the federal government shutdown persists.The rush has already begun. Central Christian Church's food pantry in downtown Indianapolis scrambled Saturday to accommodate around twice as many people as it normally serves in a day.""

""There's an increased demand. And we know it's been happening really since the economy has downturned," volunteer Beth White said, adding that with an interruption in funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, "it's going to continue to get worse for folks."It's a concern shared by charitable food providers across the country as states prepare for lower-income families to see their SNAP benefits dry up. SNAP helps 40 million Americans, or about 1 in 8, buy groceries."

""That's set to pause at the start of next month after the Trump administration said Friday that it won't use a roughly $5 billion contingency fund to keep food aid flowing in November in the government shutdown. The administration also says states temporarily covering the cost of food assistance benefits next month will not be reimbursed. "Bottom line, the well has run dry," the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a statement."

Food banks and pantries were already struggling after federal program cuts and rising demand from economic downturn and inflation. Charitable food providers report increased daily clientele, with some pantries serving roughly twice their normal numbers. SNAP benefits that assist about 40 million Americans are scheduled to pause at the start of next month because the administration will not use a $5 billion contingency fund during the government shutdown. States that temporarily cover benefits will not be reimbursed. The USDA announced there will be no benefits issued November 1. Charitable services warn that shortages will worsen and cannot fully replace federal assistance.

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