Long lines have formed at food pantries across the U.S. as federal food benefits were cut off due to the government shutdown.

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.

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.”

  • floofloof@lemmy.ca
    49·
    1 day ago

    I remember when the USA used to gloat about how in the USSR people had to stand in line for food.

      • GlitchyDigiBun@lemmy.worldEnglish
        253·
        1 day ago

        I’d call that a stretch, but the last thread just snapped lmao. Russia has been categorically worse off than any developed nation since Barbarosa, and even then, they had only JUST modernized from a 70% peasantry. If you’re going to compare SNAP lines to soviet breadlines and see people walking out with fresh fruits and cheez-its as opposed to half a loaf of moldy bread for a family of 8, then what you’ve said is utterly delusional.

        • falseWhite@lemmy.world
          418·
          1 day ago

          You can frame it however you want and measure whatever metrics you want to justify your opinion.

          It doesn’t change the fact that right now, I would rather live in communist Russia than fascist USA.

          Putin is playing Trump like a puppet.

          If you don’t see this, you are utterly delusional.