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A volunteer packs items for distribution at the Oregon Food Bank in Portland, Ore.
Jenny Kane/AP Photo
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Help hotline • Food pantries • Resources in your neighborhood • Senior centers • DoorDash & retailers
Millions of older adults are still facing uncertainty about federal food aid as a result of the government shutdown.
As Congress moves toward striking a deal to reopen the federal government, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments to millions of low-income people remain delayed.
After weeks of legal wrangling over whether the Trump administration must pay out those benefits, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily paused the disbursement of full SNAP benefits, even after some states moved forward with partial payments under conflicting federal guidance.
Even once the government reopens and federal funding is restored, it remains unclear how long it will take for full benefit payouts to reach individuals, who’ve already experienced delays in food aid.
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In the meantime, state governments, food pantries and nonprofits nationwide have been providing support, though state and local organizations have noted that community efforts cannot permanently stand in for SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.
SNAP benefits provide nine meals for every one meal provided by food banks, according to Feeding America, a nonprofit network of more than 200 food banks. That’s why AARP is joining organizations across the country to address the SNAP shortfall.
AARP also has been working alongside state offices to urge lawmakers and the administration to protect SNAP from funding cuts and policy changes that make it harder for older adults to afford food.
To support efforts by food banks to ensure older adults can access the food they need, AARP Foundation, an AARP charitable affiliate, launched a campaign to raise emergency funds for hunger relief with a dollar-for-dollar match.
“The disruption in SNAP benefits left tens of millions of people, including 11 million older adults, unsure of how they will cover their next grocery bill,” says Claire Casey, president of AARP Foundation. “Together, we are proud to be able to direct $2 million to frontline organizations providing critical food aid.”
AARP Foundation will direct 100 percent of the funds raised to food banks and other hunger relief organizations.
If you need food aid, here are some resources that may be available in your community.
Call 211
Even though SNAP is a federal program, it’s run by individual states and supported by local nonprofits and food banks that work directly with people facing food insecurity.
One of the easiest ways to find resources near you is by calling 211, your state’s social services helpline.
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