Alabama food bank warns government shutdown could affect SNAP, WIC benefits

HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) — The effects of the federal government shutdown are beginning to reach Alabama.

Alabama Arise, a nonprofit that advocates for low-income residents who receive benefits such as SNAP, says there has been little communication from the federal government about how programs like food assistance will be affected if the shutdown continues.

For now, funding for SNAP and WIC benefits is expected to last through the end of October. What happens after that remains unclear.

At the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, most shelves remain stocked, though some areas — especially those typically supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture — are running low. CEO Nicole Williams said that shortage is partly due to the shutdown.

“We’re also, of course, concerned as the shutdown continues that snap and WIC benefits may potentially be affected for folks,” remarked Williams.

Williams added that both programs have funding through the end of the month but that it’s uncertain how they will operate if the shutdown extends into November.

Carol Gundlach with Alabama Arise, a nonprofit who works directly with legislators, says there has been little to no communication about how these programs will move forward if the government stays shut down.

“We hope that people will be warned that there is not going to be November funds on their food stamp cards. What makes this very complicated, is some people maintain a balance on their cards because of summer, because of holiday, so they know when the big demand is going to be. We hope those balances are going to be good, we don’t know,” said Gundlach.

The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama says it is preparing to help anyone experiencing food insecurity in the coming weeks.

“Feedingaledot.org, our website, there is a find food button there, and that is the best place for people to put in their zip code and find all the distributions that are around where they live. We want to make sure that we are meeting people not only in their location, but wherever they are in life,” said Williams.

Alabama Arise encourages residents who rely on SNAP or WIC benefits to check the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website for updates on program funding.