Hundreds of thousands of Arizonans who rely on federal food aid may need food assistance as federal SNAP funding is expected to run dry Saturday due to the U.S. government shutdown.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the debit cards that people use as part of SNAP to buy groceries will not be reloaded as of Nov. 1, the Associated Press reported.
In Arizona, 855,273 people get SNAP benefits, according to the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Wednesday that she is deploying $1.8 million in ARPA funds to food banks across the state. SNAP households will be able to access a $30 dollar voucher to purchase fresh produce at participating farmers markets, mobile markets and community grocery stores, her announcement says.
In his weekly newsletter, Rep. Juan Ciscomani said that includes more than 300,000 children. Feeding America data shows Arizona has the highest child food insecurity rate in the nation.
The Arizona Food Bank Network says food banks in Arizona serve more than 770,000 people each month and may need to serve thousands more if the shutdown continues.
Where to find food banks, donate food and volunteer in Tucson and Southern Arizona
Arizona Food Bank Network provides Arizona’s largest database of food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other organizations that distribute emergency food. They also list ways to donate, volunteer and advocate.
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona has multiple locations to find help or donate food. See their food directory for more resources in Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Graham and Greenlee counties.
Interfaith Community Services runs a food bank at 2820 W. Ina Road with morning hours from 8 to 11 a.m. five days a week and evening hours from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Tucson Food Share is a mutual aid group that offers groceries with no income verification or documentation required. Food is available to anyone who asks.
Tucson mutual aid groups offer meals daily.
Pima County Public Library has a list of Food Pantries, Meal Sites, and Emergency Grocery Services in Pima County.
The Sahuarita Food Bank & Community Resource Center distributes food to families and has a program providing weekend food bags to students.
The Sierra Vista Salvation Army offers food boxes Monday through Friday.
Yuma Community Food Bank has a map to find food help locations.
The political situation
The Trump administration is blaming Democrats, who say they will not agree to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate with them on extending expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans say Democrats must first agree to reopen the government before negotiation.
Elected officials from Southern Arizona pointed fingers at opposing parties.
In his comments, Ciscomani says Democrats are responsible for the impasse.
“Senate Democrats have rejected attempts to fund SNAP benefits 12 times. Because of this, recipients of these benefits will not have access to keep food on their tables,” Ciscomani said in his newsletter.
Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego signed on to a letter with 45 other Senate Democrats urging the USDA to continue SNAP spending during the shutdown.
In a statement Tuesday, Kelly says Republicans are to blame.
“The president has billions of dollars at his disposal to prevent a lapse in SNAP benefits, but he’s choosing to hurt working families and use them as political pawns in this shutdown,” he wrote. “I want to see the government reopen and stop health care costs from spiking, but that requires President Trump and congressional Republicans to come to the table and work on a solution.”
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