Denver food bank sees surge as SNAP benefits pause
Food Bank of the Rockies in Denver is seeing a rising demand as SNAP recipients seek help amid food assistance benefit lapse.
- Florida residents can expect to receive their federal food assistance by Monday following a government shutdown.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds the SNAP program, but individual states are responsible for distributing the money.
- An agriculture official stated the SNAP program is broken and cited data showing benefits being sent to deceased individuals.
Florida residents waiting for their federal food assistance can expect it Monday, a top U.S. official said.
Some Florida beneficiaries reported on social media receiving payments.
Brooke Rollins, Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture, which funds SNAP, said the benefits are on their way.
“(Once) the government reopened and hopefully by the end of this week most will receive it, at the latest on Monday,” Rollins, Agriculture Secretary, said on CNN Nov. 13.
The Florida Department of Children and Families, which administers the program in Florida, has not updated its website as of Nov. 14, which still contains a message about the government shutdown.
Officials with the state agency could not be reached for comment.
Rollins added a caveat.
“But keep in mind the SNAP program is funded by the federal government but it is the 50 states and 50 different infrastructures that move that money out, and that is what makes it so complicated, the patchwork,” she said.
“But it’s moving, it’s coming, and for those who really depend on it, good news is on the way,” Rollins said.
She also pointed to fraud within the system and said it will be addressed but offered no timeline.
Data requested earlier this year that’s been turned over so far by 29 states, mostly “red states,” shows 186,000 dead people still receiving benefits, she said.
“SNAP is a broken program,” she said. “SNAP is full of corruption.”
Another official with the agriculture department, Patrick Penn, deputy under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, said in a statement: “State agencies must take immediate steps to ensure households receive their full November allotments promptly.”
He added: “State agencies should immediately resume issuing combined allotments for November and December for newly certified applicants who apply after the 15th of the month.”
The legislation Trump signed Nov. 12 to end the shutdown funded the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for the full fiscal year, through Sept. 30.
Three million Floridians receive SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, while nationwide 42 million Americans receive the help.
Data shows Lee County has more than 73,000 people on SNAP and Collier has nearly 22,000 on SNAP.
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides assistance to low-income seniors, people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and other individuals and families with low incomes to help them buy nutritious food.
The average monthly benefit in Florida is $180 a month per household member, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. SNAP benefit amounts are based on an individual or family’s income, household size, and certain expenses.
It grew out of the nearly century-old national food stamp program and was renamed in the 2008 farm bill. SNAP is part of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Where to get help now
- Instacart: 50% off groceries
- Instacart is offering SNAP recipients 50% off one grocery order. Any customer who placed an order in October using a SNAP/EBT card is eligible and will receive a personal discount code through email in the coming days, the company said. The code can be redeemed at any Instacart store that accepts SNAP payments.
- DoorDash: Free delivery
- DoorDash is waiving delivery fees on one order for SNAP recipients in November from selected stores, the company announced on Oct. 26. You must add a valid SNAP/EBT card to your DoorDash account before you make your purchase and then use the promo code SNAPDD at checkout. See the complete list of eligible stores:
Websites, apps and social media
- Feeding America: A searchable database of food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, meal programs and other resources.
- Foodfinder: A free app to help food-insecure people find local free food resources. Once it pinpoints your location, it automatically gives a list of nearby options, including addresses and directions. Apple | Google
- Freedge: A network of public refrigerators that allow communities to share food. There are currently 16 locations in Central and South Florida.
- Nextdoor: A social media app that lets people in the same neighborhood interact. It allows neighbors to discuss what is happening directly around their homes and is often used by people seeking specific services, items, or resources. Apple | Google
- Plentiful: A free app that focuses on providing local resources for people experiencing food insecurity and connecting them to partnering resources, agencies and food banks in their area. Apple | Google or text “FOOD” to PANTRY (726-879) from any phone
Where can I get food help in Southwest Florida?
Harry Chapin Food Bank – harrychapinfoodbank.org
Midwest Food Bank – Midwestfoodbank.org/donate/donation-opportunities
Meals of Hope – mealsofhope.harnessgiving.org/donate
Salvation Army Collier – naples.salvationarmyflorida.org
Salvation Army Lee – fortmyers.salvationarmyflorida.org
St. Matthew’s House – stmatthewshouse.org
Community Cooperative – communitycooperative.com
