Dear Friend,
After the USDA announced it would stop funding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning today, attorneys general from 25 states and Washington, D.C., sued to prevent a catastrophic shutdown, which would be the first such lapse in SNAP’s 60-year history.
Yesterday, two federal judges ordered the Trump Administration to tap emergency reserves “as soon as possible” in order to continue at least partially funding the federal food assistance program. But there’s no system for partial funding, and it’s unclear how or when resources will reach the 42 million Americans who need them — or what happens if the shutdown continues.
The safety net that does exist — a nationwide network of food banks, pantries, meal providers, and anti-hunger organizations — is already experiencing longer lines and warning that cuts could trigger an overwhelming surge in demand and “the greatest hunger crisis since the Great Depression.” About 1 in 8 Americans relies on SNAP to buy groceries, and nearly two-thirds of recipients are families with children.
This is a crisis of Christian Nationalist cruelty.
The Trump Administration has slashed almost $1 billion in federal aid for anti-hunger programs; canceled the delivery of 94 million pounds of meat, eggs, dairy, and produce promised to food banks; and incinerated or left to rot metric tons of food.
Earlier this week, House Speaker Mike Johnson all but admitted his priority isn’t to feed Americans but to inflict pain as political leverage in an appropriations fight meant to prevent health insurance costs from skyrocketing, also starting today.
As recently as September 30, the USDA website confirmed that “Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue…” Today, that guidance is gone and replaced by a partisan banner claiming “the well has run dry.”
And in the midst of all this, Trump’s USDA announced it will stop publishing food insecurity reports, concluding that 30 years worth of data was “redundant, costly, politicized, and extraneous,” does “nothing more than fear monger,” and “failed to present anything more than subjective, liberal fodder.”
American Atheists is proud to support over 230 affiliate groups across the country, many leading critical community service and hunger prevention projects. Last year, we awarded $7,500 in grants to seven of them, a meaningful start but far from enough to meet the growing need.
One of our 2024 grantees, Atheists United, is urgently expanding its food distribution program in Los Angeles. Executive Director Evan Clark said: “When atheist communities engage in mutual aid, we aren’t simply challenging stereotypes; we’re challenging a system of religious privilege that claims only religious institutions can help people thrive.”
Another affiliate and grantee — the Southeast Virginia Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists — organizes free community pantries in underserved neighborhoods. Chapter Coordinator Aiden Barnes said: “This work provides immediate, tangible relief to families who are choosing between groceries and rent. It’s the most meaningful project I’ve ever been part of, but I’d be lying if I said it was only uplifting. Every time I see these pantries emptied within hours, it reminds me how grotesque it is that in a wealthy society, people are left desperate and hungry at all.”
In the Midwest, Northern Indiana Atheists say they’re seeing an increase in demand for food and essential supplies. And in D.C., Atheists Helping the Homeless is stocking up on warm clothes, blankets, and non-perishable food items ahead of winter. These are just some examples of the work our grantees and other affiliates are doing to help their communities.
Right now, millions of our fellow Americans are waking up to an impossible choice: pay for food, housing, or health care, unable to afford all three. And we can help.
In solidarity,
Sam McGuire
Director of Grassroots Organizing & Advocacy
PS: If you’re interested in starting a community service project or a local group, we would love to help! Just send an email to field@atheists.org.
American Atheists is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, nonprofit educational organization that relies on the support of members like you. Contributions are tax-deductible. Our Federal Tax ID Number is 74-2466507.
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