With the government shutdown nearing the one-month mark, and with tens of thousands of Utahns about to lose their food stamp benefits, it’s time for Utah’s famous generosity to shift into high gear.
As the Deseret News reported this week, 86,000 households and 177,000 individuals in the state rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as SNAP or food stamps.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture told Utah to stop its November allotments for the program. Households may still redeem unused benefits from previous months, but nothing new may be apportioned until the shutdown ends, and that end is at the discretion of the nation’s political leaders.
Washington has also declared it will not use the $5 billion it holds in contingency funds to cover parts of the $8 billion needed in SNAP benefits nationwide in November. Those funds are meant to cover shortfalls in money already appropriated, and nothing has been appropriated for November.
That sounds like bureaucratic nonsense, as does the declaration that states won’t be reimbursed at the end of the shutdown for any money they might appropriate to cover those obligations for their poorest citizens. Added to those who normally receive SNAP benefits are the many federal employees — Utah has about 40,000 — who are furloughed during this shutdown with no paychecks and no guarantee they will receive any back pay when the government reopens.
Officials told the Deseret News that, while government shutdowns have occurred before, this is the first time SNAP benefits have been halted.
Charitable Utahns
And yet, Utahns cannot let their neighbors go hungry.
Utah lawmakers have said the state is unable to cover the costs of these benefits, which would be about $33 million in November alone. But legislative leaders said they are working on other options to provide needed food. Surely, local charities can fill much of this need, although this is the time of year when many of them are gearing up for the needs that always accompany the holiday season.
However, individual Utahns can do much good, as well. Donate to food banks and other charities that help feed those who can’t afford to feed themselves.
Utah is frequently listed as being at or near the top when it comes to studies that measure volunteerism and charitable giving among states. Newsweek last year cited the state as being the nation’s most charitable, with a 40.7% volunteer rate at a per capita rate of 39.42 hours per person.
The people of Utah donate an average of 3.89% of their income to charity, the magazine said. More than half of the state’s people volunteer their time toward charitable causes each year.
Much could be said about the reasons and political calculations behind the current shutdown. Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for ending funding for the food stamp program. The New York Times reports the lawsuit claims Washington has a legal obligation to provide those benefits, and that it needs to use the money it has in reserve.
The Times said the Department of Agriculture’s website contained a banner early on Tuesday that blamed Democrats for the stoppage of funds. This had disappeared from the site by Tuesday afternoon. Democratic leaders, however, have blamed Republicans for the shutdown for insisting on health care cuts.
A new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll, conducted by Morning Consult, showed mixed feelings among the public, with 34% blaming congressional Republicans and 42% blaming congressional Democrats, with 24% uncertain.
Set politics aside
As usual, however, political bickering can get in the way of the real human needs laid bare by this crisis. People who rely on assistance to eat should not be made to starve.
Charitable people don’t judge those who rely on federal assistance. They befriend them and help them.
Utah has an admirable history of stepping up in times of need. This is such a time. While the shutdown could end at any time, residents of this great state must be prepared to answer the call to help if needed.