Maryland Food Bank Statement on Temporary Relief for SNAP Recipients, Continued Need During Government Shutdown

The Maryland Food Bank is deeply appreciative of Governor Moore’s leadership in providing emergency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) this November. Along with the announcement that USDA will provide partial funds for this critical hunger-fighting program, this means many Maryland neighbors will now have temporary relief during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

While this short-term funding helps avert a catastrophic drop in food access for SNAP recipients, many of our neighbors remain in crisis. Even before we reached the SNAP cliff, nearly 9 out of 10 of our community partners were reporting a rise in visits, with 20% saying visits had more than doubled.

Relief for SNAP households is coming soon, but it won’t be immediate — and should the shutdown continue, emergency funds will not extend into December and beyond. In addition, the Maryland Food Bank and our network of nearly 800 community partners are still working to meet the needs of the hundreds of thousands of federal government employees and contractors who have gone without a full paycheck for over a month.

Most immediately, we call for lawmakers to find an end to the shutdown to get Marylanders back to work. If you are facing hunger and need support, please visit our website to find a nearby food pantry. You can also learn more about how to support your neighbors.

Hunger can’t wait. Thank you once again for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Meg Kimmel
President & CEO, Maryland Food Bank