Two federal judges have ruled the Trump administration must continue funding the SNAP during the government shutdown. But amid ongoing uncertainty over the food stamps program, charitable organizations are appealing to Arizonans to help their neighbors.
About one in eight Arizonans rely on SNAP for monthly food assistance. And as the shutdown puts those funds in limbo, Arizona’s largest food bank, St. Mary’s, has seen demand increase about 10% just in the last week, said St. Mary’s CEO Milt Liu.
“We have a rainy day fund, and we are tapping into that rainy day fund,” Liu said. “We’ve purchased more food in anticipation of an increase in demand next week and we are focused on meeting the need.”
But Liu said for every one meal that food banks provide nationwide, SNAP typically provides nine.
“Here in Arizona, the gap is $155 million a month. There is no way — the math doesn’t work — there is no way that food banks can fill that entire gap,” Liu said.
Other Arizona charitable organizations are reporting similar surges in demand.
“Just in one location in one day, there were 15 new families who had never been to the Salvation Army before seeking out our assistance,” said Lt. Col. Chuck Fowler with the Salvation Army. “At another location after just 90 minutes of being open, the doors had to be closed and people turned away because we ran out of food that day.”
Liu, Fowler and other charitable organization leaders spoke alongside Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego at a press conference at St. Mary’s Food Bank on Friday.
Gallego called on Phoenix residents to host food drives, volunteer or donate to support the organizations.
“If we’re going to weather this storm, it’s going to take all of us to pitch in and help those of us in our community who need us most,” Gallego said.
The city of Phoenix is listing food assistance information and other community resources on its website.