Snap cuts are leaving one in eight Americans hungry. Here's how you can help | Matthew Cantor

"It comes down to paying for my medications and my bills or buying food for myself and for my animals, a Missouri veteran told the Guardian. A California resident described being housebound because I need a couple of spinal cord surgeries so this is really gonna hurt me because I cannot work, and thereby earn money to put food on the table."

"Now, food banks are struggling under the weight of unprecedented demand, said Linda Nageotte, president and chief operating officer of Feeding America, a network of food banks across the US. One in eight people in our country right now don't have enough to eat, and if you're one of the seven who does, it's time for you to activate. If you are directly affected by the Snap cuts, you can find a nearby food bank here."

"Thanks to relationships with retailers, farmers and other food industry sources, the cost per pound for food when a food bank is sourcing it is really, really, really low, Nageotte said. We can provide far, far more meals worth of food with $1 than you could if you took that same dollar and went to the grocery store. With that in mind, you can donate funds to larger organizations such as Feeding America or New York City's City Harvest, or to a local site."

SNAP funding expired on Saturday during the US government shutdown, placing nearly 42 million people at risk of losing access to food. A judge blocked a complete suspension of benefits last week, but the administration announced recipients will receive only half of their usual payments. Recipients describe choosing between medications, bills, and food, and some report being housebound and unable to work. Food banks and Feeding America report unprecedented demand, noting one in eight people lack enough to eat. Donors are directed to contribute funds to national or local food banks and use online directories to find assistance.

Read at www.theguardian.com