Urgent: Families Face Food Stamp Cutoff Amid Shutdown Crisis

UPDATE: Families are facing an imminent food insecurity crisis as food stamp benefits are set to be cut off this Saturday, October 29, 2025, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Residents like Maranda Johnson are growing increasingly anxious about their ability to feed their families without these vital resources.

As the shutdown stretches into nearly a month, hunger relief organizations are bracing for a significant surge in demand. Lavelle Salter, a staff coordinator at FeedMore WNY in Buffalo, New York, emphasizes the urgency of the situation as the agency prepares to support nearly 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, and group homes across several counties.

Hunger relief agencies like FeedMore are organizing resources to meet the anticipated increase in community needs. “You barely get by as it is,” Johnson remarked, reflecting the grim reality many families are facing. The Second Baptist Church in Lackawanna also plays a critical role, running a food pantry three days a week. Rev. Mark E. Blue highlights the essential nature of SNAP benefits for the vulnerable populations they serve.

With food stamp benefits set to vanish, food banks and pantries are preparing for a potential crisis. Ameer Brown, a volunteer at FeedMore WNY, was seen loading boxes of food onto pallets on Wednesday, underscoring the urgency of the current situation.

This developing crisis not only threatens household food security but also places additional pressure on already strained local resources. As families brace for the cutoff, the community is called to rally together to support one another through this challenging time. Those in need are urged to seek assistance from local food banks and agencies.

For updates on this situation and to learn how you can help, follow local news outlets and community organizations. The need for support is immediate and critical, as families await the outcome of federal negotiations that will determine the future of food assistance.

Stay tuned for more updates as we follow this urgent story.