Shutdown Looms as Nevada Families Face SNAP benefit Delays
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) – As a potential resolution to the federal government shutdown nears, Nevada families reliant on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) continue to struggle with limited food access, forcing local organizations to step in and provide critical support.
In Henderson, Vegas Helps held its second emergency food distribution event this week, providing approximately 70 pounds of groceries to each family served. The increased demand is a direct result of halted SNAP payments during the shutdown.
“They only gave me $12, so that isn’t going to last me and the three kids I got at home,” said Henderson resident Linda Sena. “I didn’t know what I was going to do.”
Organizers report a surge in need, fueled by the disruption to SNAP benefits. “Today we’re putting together another 150 boxes,” an organizer stated. “I think it’s been over $24,000 of donations just from community donations, community leaders, and just combining everything together, and we’re just really grateful to be able to do something.”
For many, these distributions are a vital lifeline. Cecilia Hall, a single mother of four and SNAP recipient from Henderson, described the assistance as “a blessing.” “I am a SNAP recipient,I’m a single mom,I have four children,and I’m really struggling right now,” she said.
The impact of the shutdown extends beyond food insecurity.Hall explained, “If I need someone to help me pay my rent, I can’t get access to that as there are no funds becuase of the government being shut down. So I’m just leaning on prayer at this time in my life.”
Nonprofits like Vegas Helps are working to fill the gap left by stalled federal programs. “When we heard about the SNAP benefits disappearing for now, what feels like overnight, we knew that there were a lot of people who just needed food in the interim,” an organizer explained. “so, even though we are not a food bank, we decided, hey, let’s try to get together a bunch of boxes and just help as many people as we can.”
Sena emphasized the broader economic challenges faced by many, stating, “It’s been very difficult. Just being able to go to food banks… without them, we wouldn’t be able to make it. A lot of people don’t make a lot of money even when they do work.”
Simultaneously occurring,the trump administration has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to block a court order mandating full SNAP payments during the shutdown. A decision from the justices remains pending, and it is currently unclear if they will rule before a funding agreement is reached in Washington.
