POST FALLS, Idaho — Food banks are seeing high demand as thousands of people in Idaho rely on them during day 35 of the government shutdown, unsure of when they’ll get their SNAP benefits.
Yesterday, the Trump administration said they’ll comply with a federal order to partially fund food benefits during the shutdown. Then today, President Trump posted on Truth Social that SNAP benefits will not be funded during the shutdown, causing confusion for many families.
Even if the federal government partially funds SNAP, those benefits are expected to take days or weeks to arrive.
Isaac Miroth receives SNAP benefits and is working 40 hours or more per week, but is still struggling to feed his two-year-old.
“It’s just been really hard not having food stamps, and it’s taking food off my son’s and family’s table to the point where I have to work 40+ hours a week just to make ends meet,” Miroth said.
Miroth and his family have been relying on food banks like 3rd Avenue Marketplace to make sure they have enough food. He hopes the shutdown will end soon so his family and many others will get their food stamps back.
“They also have kids as well and they’ve been stressed to the limit about it. It’s rough to see,” Miroth said.
3rd Avenue Marketplace says it’s been a busy few weeks with the uncertainty over SNAP benefits. Demand is high.
The food bank was completely out of peanut butter last week, but people have stepped up to donate and help them restock the shelves.
“It’s one of the items that’s on our most needed list. Always most needed are proteins, canned proteins, beans, tuna fish and items like peanut butter,” said Michelle Rogers, a case manager at 3rd Avenue Marketplace.
Rogers says several people have stepped up with cash donations and people have organized their own food drives as well. She says they’re still preparing for an influx of people until SNAP funding is fully restored.
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