SNAP benefits cut off during shutdown, driving long lines at food
pantries
[November 03, 2025]
By SUSAN HAIGH and DYLAN LOVAN
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — People across the country formed long lines for
free meals and groceries at food pantries and drive-through giveaways
Saturday, after monthly benefits through the federal Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, were suddenly cut off because of
the ongoing government shutdown.
In the New York borough of the Bronx, about 200 more people than usual
showed up at the World of Life Christian Fellowship International
pantry, many bundled in winter hats and coats and pushing collapsible
shopping carts as they waited in a line that spanned multiple city
blocks. Some arrived as early as 4 a.m. to choose from pallets of
fruits, vegetables, bread, milk, juice, dry goods and prepared
sandwiches.
Mary Martin, who volunteers at the pantry, also relies on it regularly
for food to supplement her SNAP payments. She said she usually splits
her roughly $200 a month in SNAP benefits between herself and her two
adult sons, one of whom has six children and is especially dependent on
the assistance.
“If I didn't have the pantry to come to, I don't know how we would make
it,” Martin said.
“I'm not gonna see my grandkids suffer.”
The Department of Agriculture planned to withhold payments to the food
program starting Saturday until two federal judges ordered the
administration to make them. However it was unclear as to when the debit
cards that beneficiaries use could be reloaded after the ruling,
sparking fear and confusion among many recipients.
In an apparent response to President Donald Trump, who said he would
provide the money but wanted more legal direction from the court, U.S.
District Judge John J. McConnell in Rhode Island ordered the government
to report back by Monday on how it would fund SNAP accounts.
McConnell, who was nominated by President Barack Obama, said the Trump
administration must either make a full payment by that day or, if it
decides to tap $3 billion in a contingency fund, figure out how to do
that by Wednesday.
The delay in SNAP payments, a major piece of the nation's social safety
net that serves about 42 million people, has highlighted the financial
vulnerabilities that many face. At the Bronx food pantry, the Rev. John
Udo-Okon said “people from all walks of life” are seeking help now.
“The pantry is no longer for the poor, for the elderly, for the needy.
The pantry now is for the whole community, everybody,” Udo-Okon said.
“You see people will drive in their car and come and park and wait to
see if they can get food.”
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In this photo provided by the Rev. John Udo-Okon, people wait in
line for free food at the World of Life Christian Fellowship
International food pantry in the Bronx borough of New York on
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (Rev. John Udo-Okon via AP)
In Austell, Georgia, people in hundreds of cars in drive-through
lanes picked up nonperishable and perishable bags of food. Must
Ministries said it handed out food to about 1,000 people, more than
a typical bimonthly food delivery.
Families in line said they worried about not getting SNAP benefits
in time for Thanksgiving.
At a drive-through food giveaway at the Calvary Baptist Church in
Louisville, Kentucky, SNAP recipient James Jackson, 74, said he is
frustrated that people are being hurt by decisions made in
Washington and lawmakers should try harder to understand challenges
brought by poverty and food insecurity.
“If you’ve never been poor, you don’t know what it is to be poor,”
Jackson said. “I hope that it turns around. I hope that people get
their SNAP benefits, and I hope we just come together where we can
love each other and feed each other and help each other.”
While there is typically a long line for Calvary Baptist Church's
drive-through events, the Rev. Samuel L. Whitlow said, the walk-in
food pantry has seen increased demand recently with roughly 60
additional people showing up this week.
And in Norwich, Connecticut, the St. Vincent De Paul soup kitchen
and food pantry had 10 extra volunteers working Saturday to help a
wave of expected newcomers, making sure they felt comfortable and
understood the services available. Besides groceries and hot meals,
the site was providing pet food, toiletries and blood pressure
checks.
“They’re embarrassed. They have shame. So you have to deal with that
as well,” director Jill Corbin said. “But we do our best to just try
to welcome people.”
___
Haigh reported from Norwich, Connecticut. Associated Press
photographer Mike Stewart in Austell, Georgia, contributed.
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