Lack of SNAP and WIC benefits during government shutdown could have lasting effects
By Joshua Davis
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WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (WXII) — Days after the longest government shutdown in history came to a close, families across the triad are looking forward to once again getting their full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and WIC benefits. However, some recipients and local food pantries say that the effects of the last few weeks won’t disappear overnight.
Kayla Lawson of Rockingham County says WIC benefits play an important role in supporting her family.
“I was really happy that it’s finally coming to an end,” she said. “Really thankful that, you know, people don’t have to continue to struggle.”
She says she and other families she knows are relieved that benefits are getting funding again now that the government shutdown has finally come to an end.
“There were a lot of people who were really scared and upset,” she said. “Not being sure if you’re going to have enough money to make it through the end of the month, to buy groceries and, you know, other essentials.”
However, even though the federal government is back to business as usual, some people and even food pantries are worried about what happens if benefits lapse again.
Heather Schenck of Maple Springs United Methodist Church manages the food pantry. She said they saw a sharp uptick of people in need of food assistance during the shutdown, and they expect the need to continue to grow, just at a slower rate.
“I would imagine, as grocery prices are continuing to stay high, that people are going to continue coming to the food pantry in record numbers,” she said to WXII.
But there is a silver lining; Schenck says during the shutdown, the Triad came together in incredible ways to make sure families in need were able to eat.
She says if it happened once, it’ll happen again.
“Every time a person walked up to me and gave me a check, I had tears in my eyes,” she said. “Every time people dropped off food, they did it out of the kindness of their hearts, and it was so uplifting to see so many people stepping up to help our neighbors that are the most vulnerable among us.”
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