"Businesses have shared posts on social media that show them partnering with nonprofits, accepting donations on their own to build community fridges, or offering meal deals to those who receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits that are currently delayed by the Trump administration. Some of the community assistance is also available to federal workers who are going without pay during what could become the country's longest government shutdown."
"SNAP benefits, used by nearly 42 million Americans to purchase food, were threatened to be frozen on Nov. 1 because the program ran out of money, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Trump administration blamed Democrats for the benefit freeze and continued shutdown. Democrats, currently fighting to renew expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, have argued that there is a contingency fund to pull from for SNAP."
"Still, it isn't immediately clear when benefits will go out and how much recipients will see on their cards. The government on Monday had agreed to release partial payments to SNAP recipients for the month of November, but on Tuesday Donald Trump shared on Truth Social that SNAP funds wouldn't go out until the government shutdown ended."
Boston-area restaurants, grocery stores, and food businesses are partnering with nonprofits, accepting donations to build community fridges, and offering meal deals to people whose SNAP benefits are delayed. Some assistance is also available to unpaid federal workers affected by the shutdown. SNAP serves nearly 42 million Americans and faced a freeze on Nov. 1 after the program ran out of money, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Trump administration blamed Democrats for the freeze while Democrats said an emergency contingency fund exists. Two federal judges ordered use of the emergency fund. Timing and amounts of payments remain unclear amid conflicting statements and partial-payment agreements.
Read at Boston.com
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