The government continues to be shut down, putting millions of children in the path of hunger and hardship. The current administration refused a court order to release SNAP contingency funds, so we have an immediate emergency at hand. Right now, SNAP benefits have lapsed for 42 million Americans, including 16 million children; a surprising amount reside in Plymouth County. This is an unprecedented hunger crisis that we all should respond to. Please be aware that your best response is not to donate food or hold a food drive, but to donate money to food banks. Food banks have the ability to buy food at better prices and know what they need. Until our politicians stop this cruelty, your help is necessary to avoid starvation for our low-income neighbors.
– Robert Antall
Editor’s note: Since this letter was submitted, the Trump administration has agreed to make partial payments to most people eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, during the federal government shutdown.