The ongoing government shutdown risks halting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for 145,000 Rhode Islanders and 42 million Americans starting on Nov. 1, according to Robyn Perry, coordinator for the URI Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America’s SNAP Outreach Program.
“With the government shutdown, the threat is that there’ll be no SNAP in November,” Perry said. “Our population is lately primarily older adults, and they are fearful of what the changes mean for them. And they’re not affected by the changes across the board, but obviously, if there’s no SNAP in November, they will be.”
This will be the first time there has ever been a suspension in SNAP.
On Tuesday, Gov. Dan McKee declared a state of emergency in Rhode Island regarding the Trump administration’s threat of halting SNAP benefits in November, according to the state of Rhode Island website.
“It’s really an evolving situation,” Perry said. “It’s like we’re in this holding place and I feel like there’s a lot of things coming to the surface.”
The hunger center is working to raise awareness about effects of SNAP changes and pressure lawmakers to bring this issue to the forefront, according to Perry.
Perry is working alongside Kathleen Gorman, founding director of the Feinstein Center, and Ingrid Lofgren, current director, to reach out to Rhode Island and federal legislative groups concerning changes to SNAP.
McKee said Rhode Island is taking action to protect food access for its citizens, according to the state of Rhode Island website.
The Feinstein Center also gives information to students and community members about SNAP eligibility and other food insecurity resources, according to Perry. Resources for food insecure students include the Johnnycake Center in South County, North Kingstown Food Pantry and the Rhody Outpost food pantry at URI.
Most people who rely on SNAP benefits are families, older adults and people with disabilities, according to Perry.
“So many [who rely on SNAP] do work, and a lot of them are children,” Perry said. “A lot of people stand to suffer, so this is really important.”
If the government halts SNAP benefits, Rhody Outpost plans to work with students individually to make food more accessible to the 1 in 4 students at URI who are food insecure, according to Barbara Sweeney, who manages the outpost full-time.
The pantry is located at the Dining Services Warehouse at 10 Tootell Road. Students can visit up to three times a month, according to Sweeney. More information about accessing the pantry and hours of availability can be found on the Rhody Outpost website or by contacting Sweeney.
Additionally, the outpost has student-donated dining dollars with meal plans available, which can be transferred into accounts of food-insecure students, according to Sweeney. The pantry also gives gift cards to places like Walmart or Stop & Shop which students might typically use.
These measures help destigmatize food insecurity and normalize students who are impacted by it, according to Sweeney.
“That’s a question students will ask themselves, ‘Will I get to eat today?’ or ‘Will I get to eat past noon?’ and I want to remove that for them,” Sweeney said. “It’s all about removing that barrier and allowing our students to have that normal, typical URI experience.”
Those who want to help food insecure students at URI can raise awareness by doing research projects or take courses offered by the Feinstein Center, according to Perry.
Anyone can donate food directly to the Feinstein Center or Rhody Outpost. Monetary donations to the outpost are accepted through the URI Foundation.
The Rhody Outpost, with the exception of Sweeney’s salary, is fully funded through donations, according to Sweeney.
Students can donate dining dollars on the GrubHub app on Mondays through a program called “Meaningful Monday,” which is open for 24 hours every Monday.
“And what’s great about that, not only is it immediate, it’s student driven and student supported,” Sweeney said. “So you know by donating, your money is going directly to helping another student. It’s not going to me. It’s not even going to buy food for the outpost. That money is going to help another student have a meal, which I think is a great thing for all of us to feel.”
If students need assistance or have questions about SNAP, they can contact the Feinstein Hunger Center.
