"On Friday, students packed the food pantry at Brashear High School in Pittsburgh. Every surface in the room was covered with fresh produce, dairy, frozen meat and even hygiene products. It's a big help for students like Ryan, who said his family relies on the food benefits they receive through SNAP benefits that were disrupted by the government shutdown. "My mom said try and get some food to help out the family, so that's what I'm doing today," he explained."
"Amid ongoing court battles, and with Congress considering a resolution to reopen the government, many families still don't know when they'll get their full November food benefits. Pennsylvania was among the states that started to issue full SNAP benefits to families on Friday, after a court order. That's when Ryan's family received their full benefits. On Saturday, however, the U.S. Department of Agriculture called those payments "unauthorized," and ordered states to claw them back."
Students and families in Pittsburgh relied on a school food pantry stocked with fresh produce, dairy, frozen meat and hygiene items. Many families depend on SNAP benefits that were disrupted by the government shutdown, affecting nearly 42 million Americans, about 40% of whom are under 18. Pennsylvania began issuing full November SNAP benefits after a court order, and some families received payments. The U.S. Department of Agriculture later called those payments "unauthorized" and ordered states to claw them back. Pennsylvania joined other states in challenging the USDA demand in a lawsuit. Students used pantry items to prepare family meals.
Read at www.npr.org
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