Chicago food pantries step up as SNAP benefits stall during government shutdown

CHICAGO (WGN) — As the court battle over SNAP benefits cut off by the Trump administration continues, food pantries across Chicago are stepping up to fill the gap for struggling families during the ongoing government shutdown.

Outside a pop-up food distribution site near South Ewing Avenue and 102nd Street, seniors and parents waited in line for groceries.

“I’m blessed for anything that I can get for my family because I got a family of nine, so there’s seven kids and two adults and we do what we can,” Rachael Figueroa said.

A week after SNAP recipients stopped receiving their full benefits, the Greater Chicago Food Depository doubled its number of weekend emergency distribution sites from five to ten. One of the new locations is at St. Francis De Sales High School on the city’s Southeast Side.

“It’s important because we’re giving back to the community, and I find joy in that,” said St. Francis De Sales student Alani McCoy. “When we all come together, we can do many great things.”

“This has motivated us completely,” added St. Francis De Sales student Elizabeth Amaya. “Seeing people’s emotions firsthand, being able to see children and the elderly, it has connected with us.”

On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a lower court’s order to restore full SNAP funding amid the shutdown. The decision has prolonged uncertainty for the two million Illinois residents who depend on the program.

“This whiplash for families that are already struggling to put food on the table is cruel,” said Kate Maehr, executive director of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “900,000 people in Cook County didn’t receive SNAP benefits. This is a crisis.”

In response, volunteers have increased the amount of food distributed at each site to meet the growing need.

“Charity cannot fill the gap,” Maehr said. “We need Congress and the government to ensure the SNAP program is up and running so our neighbors have what they need to get by.”