Government Shutdown Threatens Food Security for 70,000 Montgomery County Residents
The ongoing government closure is causing worry among Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in Montgomery County, Maryland. Around 70,000 local residents rely on SNAP for meals, and they are uncertain about when their funding will run out. Meanwhile, President Trump is considering using trade tariff money to fund another nutrition program, WIC, which is also at risk of running out of funds due to the closure. The White House has warned that WIC funds could deplete this week, leaving nearly 7 million pregnant women, new mothers, and young children without nutrition assistance. This comes as SNAP funds for the current month are secure, but the future remains uncertain. SNAP recipients in Montgomery County are advised to monitor their SNAP cards closely by the Montgomery County Food Council, which is concerned about a potential resource drought if the closure continues. Over 40 million people nationwide rely on SNAP, highlighting the program's importance. In Montgomery County alone, nearly 35% of the community is food insecure, with around 69,000 residents using SNAP. The local ABC affiliate WJLA reported on the growing concern among families in the area as the closure drags on, with November 1 looming as a potential cutoff date for SNAP funds if the closure persists. The government shutdown is putting vital nutrition assistance programs at risk, leaving millions of Americans, including 70,000 Montgomery County residents, in limbo about their food security. While President Trump considers alternative funding sources, SNAP recipients and advocacy groups like the Montgomery County Food Council urge a swift resolution to the government closure to ensure continued access to nutrition programs.
