In the face of a government shutdown, the continuation of SNAP funding has been mandated by two federal judges, offering momentary relief. However, the situation remains precarious, prompting charitable organizations in Arizona to rally community support to mitigate the potential crisis.
Approximately 12.5% of Arizona’s population depends on SNAP benefits for sustenance. With the current shutdown threatening the stability of these benefits, demand at St. Mary’s, the state’s largest food bank, surged by 10% in just a week, according to CEO Milt Liu. Liu explained, “We have a rainy day fund, and we are tapping into that rainy day fund. We’ve purchased more food in anticipation of an increase in demand next week and we are focused on meeting the need.”
The reliance on SNAP is considerable, as Liu highlighted that for every meal provided by food banks, SNAP offers nine. He emphasized that the shortfall in Arizona amounts to $155 million monthly, a gap food banks alone cannot bridge.
Other charitable groups are also witnessing increased demand. Lt. Col. Chuck Fowler from the Salvation Army noted, “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.” He added that at another site, limited supplies forced them to close within 90 minutes of opening.
During a press conference at St. Mary’s Food Bank, Liu and Fowler joined Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, who urged the community to get involved through food drives, volunteering, or donations. Gallego stated, “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.”
The city of Phoenix offers additional resources and food assistance information on its website.
