“It’s Been Really Stressful”

With SNAP funding in jeopardy, Greater Chicago Food Depository sounds alarm on food access

Chicago resident Stacy Robison-Holzendorf faces a nearly impossible choice this month: pay her bills or feed her children and grandchildren.

“It’s been really stressful,” Robison-Holzendorf says. “Telling my grandkids: ‘Don’t run through the food.’ They’re not used to that. And now we’re not sure if we’re going to receive anything for Thanksgiving. I will starve myself before I let my family starve, but there’s going to be some big problems.”

Robison-Holzendorf is one of 2 million Illinois residents whose SNAP benefits are in jeopardy. SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides monthly funds for groceries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that no federal aid would go out on Nov. 1 as the government shutdown continues.

As of Nov. 3 morning, the USDA, in response to a federal court ruling out of Rhode Island, declared that the agency would use a contingency fund to send money to the states. This will enable states to issue partial SNAP benefits for November. The fund has about $5.2 billion; though, officials say fully covering SNAP benefits for November would cost about $9 billion.

Congressional Republicans alongside the Trump administration argued that the contingency fund can’t legally be used for SNAP benefits because the program that allows for appropriations has lapsed. However, Judge John McConnell and a federal judge in Massachusetts representing 24 states and the District of Columbia, disagreed.

“There is no question that the congressionally approved contingency funds must be used now because of the shutdown,” McConnell wrote in his order.

To help partner organizations and residents prepare, City Colleges of Chicago and the Greater Chicago Food Depository have been hosting informational sessions across the city to clarify the dual challenges posed by the shutdown and new federally mandated changes to SNAP enacted earlier this year.

Those updates include new work requirements and age limits for eligibility. Overall, the Trump administration cut $186 billion in food assistance over the next decade through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

A third concern looms as well: The continued presence of federal immigration agents in the Chicago area has led some immigrants to avoid food pantries out of fear of being detained.

At an Oct. 25 informational session at Harold Washington College, Tyler Stratton, director of community asset building for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, emphasized the organization’s ongoing efforts to prepare for increased demand.

“There’s a lot happening internally right now,” Stratton says. “We know this is going to be a long haul, and we’ll see an increase in people on the lines looking for food.”

In terms of readiness, he says, the food depository’s 800 partner pantries across Cook County are operating on a “case-by-case basis,” partly because their capacity varies greatly, from small church operations to large warehouse distributors.

The organization is working daily to ensure residents dealing with food insecurity — 1 in 5 households in Cook County, and 1 in 4 children — stay informed.

Stratton encouraged attendees to continue screening for benefits eligibility despite the pending pause.

“We are right here with you,” Stratton said at the session. “I want to acknowledge people are angry. The [SNAP freeze] will have a huge negative impact on everyone. This will really take a toll.”

For their part, attendees were not optimistic about what comes next.

“There’s going to be a riot,” Robison-Holzendorf says. “This feels like Trump is putting sanctions on America. People are hit with problem after problem. Depression builds up until people snap.”

Another SNAP beneficiary in attendance, Darryl Robinson, says that he’s worried that few people will be exempt from work requirements or other new barriers to getting assistance, including those with mental or physical disabilities, veterans, and seniors.

“It’s very vague,” Robinson says of the new stipulations. “I’m a senior with disabilities, I don’t think I’m going to have to [work for benefits], but you never know. Will homeless people have to work for their SNAP benefits? This feels like indentured servitude.”

Even for those who can work, Robinson notes challenges such as transportation or childcare costs, where federal funding is also in jeopardy.

Many say they don’t understand what’s motivating the policy changes, or whether the Trump administration has considered the impact on food-insecure Americans.

“This is being forced down on us by people who really don’t know about what people have to live like,” Robinson says.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository and City Colleges of Chicago will hold another informational session at Wilbur Wright College on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. For more information, visit chicagosfoodbank.org.

Find Food Near You

Chicago Restaurants Offering SNAP Recipients Free or Discounted Meals

CheSa’s Bistro and Bar, 3235 W. Addison St. — Free meals from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesdays
Kale My Name, 3300 W. Montrose Ave. — Free meals daily from 3-5 p.m. daily
Manny’s Delicatessen, 1141 S. Jefferson St. — Free meals to SNAP recipients week of Nov. 3
October Cafe, 6046 N. Avondale Ave. — Free meals from 3-5 p.m. throughout November for SNAP recipients
Paulie Gee’s Logan Square, 2651 N. Milwaukee Ave. — Free kids cheese pizza for families that receive SNAP benefits
Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria, 5204 N. Clark St. / 230 W. Chicago Ave. / 1165 W. 18th St. — Free vegan meals for children and pregnant people from 3-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday
Soul Food Lounge, 3804 W. 16th St. — Free meals from noon-3 p.m. Tuesdays
The Stopalong, 2210 N. California Ave. / 1812 N. Milwaukee Ave. — Free 16-inch pizza with ID and SNAP card through Nov. 16

By Aaron Dorman

Aaron Dorman is a reporter based in the Chicago area who specializes in environmental and/or technology issues. He doesn’t understand the difference between mostaccioli and baked ziti; thinks it might be a marketing scam.

newyorknarwhal.com