URGENT UPDATE: Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell has issued a powerful call to action, demanding that former President Donald Trump immediately release critical funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to prevent thousands of families from going hungry.
In a fiery post on social media, Sewell stated, “This president has lost his mind! The fact that he would defy court orders in order to starve hungry families is sickening. Mr. President, follow the law, do your job, and release the SNAP funds!!!” This statement comes in response to Trump’s assertion that SNAP benefits will only be disbursed once “Radical Left Democrats” reopen the government.
The urgency of the situation escalates as the U.S. Department of Agriculture faces a looming deadline of October 4, 2023 to provide partial SNAP payments. However, the USDA has indicated that due to ongoing bureaucratic processes, it may not meet this deadline, leaving countless beneficiaries in limbo.
More than 300,000 children and over 102,000 seniors in Alabama rely on SNAP for their daily meals. Sewell emphasized the gravity of the situation, declaring, “There are real Alabama families who rely on SNAP to put food on their tables.” In response to this crisis, she announced a commitment of $2 million from the state’s emergency funds to support eight food banks across all 67 counties in Alabama.
The food banks set to receive support include the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Food Bank of East Alabama, Food Bank of North Alabama, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Heart of Alabama Food Bank, Selma Area Food Bank, West Alabama Food Bank, and the Wiregrass Area Food Bank.
Sewell’s actions come as two federal judges ruled that the government must fund the food assistance program, either wholly or partially, utilizing a $5 billion contingency fund. This ruling has heightened tensions as Trump’s refusal to act defies these judicial orders.
The implications of this funding crisis are severe. Without immediate access to SNAP benefits, families across Alabama risk facing food insecurity, particularly vulnerable populations including children and seniors.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the USDA and whether they can expedite the release of these essential funds. The urgency cannot be overstated—hungry families are waiting for immediate assistance.
Stay tuned for more updates as this critical issue unfolds.
