When Government Closes, Families Go Hungry

Overview

This column examines how the federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, has deeply affected American life. Congress’s failure to pass funding bills has threatened the food security of roughly 42 million Americans. Families now face the grim possibility of going without meals, while small grocers and local markets struggle with declining SNAP spending, triggering losses that ripple throughout their communities.

How the Federal Government Shutdown Occurred

The U.S. government operates on a fiscal year that runs from October 1 to September 30. To fund agencies and programs, Congress must pass appropriation bills before this deadline. These bills ensure that the government has the financial authority to keep essential services running.

However, in 2025, Congress failed to pass any appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year. With no funding approved, the government’s spending authority lapsed, leaving many federal agencies without legal power to spend money. This lapse triggered an operational shutdown for all non-essential services, forcing thousands of federal workers to be furloughed or to work without pay.

Why is The Government Shutdown Happening

The government shutdown occurred because Republicans and Democrats could not agree on a bill to fund government services. For the federal government to operate, Congress must approve a spending plan, which the President then signs into law. Currently, Republicans control both chambers of Congress, but in the Senate, they lack the 60 votes needed to pass the spending bill, giving Democrats negotiating power.

A key point of contention is healthcare funding. Former President Trump made cuts to Medicaid, a program that provides health coverage for the elderly, low-income individuals, and people with disabilities. Democrats want to reverse these cuts and make health insurance more affordable, while Republicans aim to maintain reduced spending. At this moment, neither side is willing to compromise, resulting in the ongoing shutdown.

What is SNAP

SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a federally funded program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with day-to-day operations managed by individual states. Its primary goal is to help low-income individuals and families meet their nutritional needs. Beyond supporting households, SNAP also injects billions of dollars into local economies, as benefits are typically spent at grocery stores and markets within the community.

Eligible participants receive Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which function like debit cards to purchase approved food items at participating stores. This system ensures that assistance is both accessible and flexible for those who rely on it.

How the Shutdown Affects SNAP and Families

Across the country, tens of thousands of families are feeling the quiet but devastating impact of this shutdown. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supports about 42 million Americans; Has become one of the most vulnerable casualties.

In 2024, SNAP spending totaled $99.8 billion, making it a cornerstone of food security for millions. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and implemented by state agencies. When federal funding stops, the program stalls. Many states have warned that if the shutdown continues, November SNAP benefits could be delayed, reduced, or halted altogether.

Imagine living with the constant uncertainty of whether your SNAP card will load this month. For families already living on tight budgets, even a short interruption can mean skipped meals, poorer nutrition, and declining health. These hardships can affect children’s school performance, adults’ work productivity, and long-term well-being.

If Congress and the President fail to reach an agreement soon, millions could lose their benefits. This would leave 42 million Americans facing food insecurity.

Who Else Is Affected

The effects of halted SNAP benefits extend far beyond households. Local businesses, small grocers, community markets, corner stores, and convenience stores depend heavily on SNAP spending to stay afloat.

SNAP injects about $9–$10 billion per month into the economy, most of it spent locally. While major supermarket chains can endure temporary declines, small independent stores cannot. Reduced sales may force owners to cut employee hours or lay off workers, who then have less income to spend in their communities.

This creates a ripple effect: families have less to spend, stores earn less, workers lose hours, community spending declines. What begins as a political stalemate in Washington becomes an economic strain on Main Street.

The halt of SNAP benefits doesn’t just threaten households’ survival or reduce community spending, it can also have serious consequences for students. Many children and young adults rely on SNAP for daily meals, and without it, they may face hunger, poor nutrition, and increased stress. These challenges can affect health, concentration, and school performance, leading to more absences, greater anxiety, and lower grades. In public high schools, funding is based on student enrollment and attendance; when absences rise, Average Daily Attendance drops, and schools receive less funding. For colleges, absences don’t directly affect funding, but poor performance and increased stress may cause students to drop out, lowering tuition revenue. Over time, this could impact the future workforce, as fewer students complete higher education due to inadequate access to nutrition and support.

How Long the Shutdown May Last

There’s still no clear end in sight. When the shutdown began, prediction markets estimated it might last 11 days to two weeks. Now, it has stretched far beyond those expectations. It is becoming one of the longest government shutdowns in U.S. history.

The longer the shutdown continues, the greater the damage: families struggle, small businesses lose income, and confidence in the nation’s economic stability erodes.

Conclusion

A government shutdown may not seem like it affects you personally, but for millions of Americans, it’s life-altering. Families are worried about putting food on the table, and small business owners are worried about keeping their doors open.

If Congress fails to act soon, the consequences will extend far beyond Washington. Families will go hungry, local economies will shrink, and communities will suffer, all because of a political standoff that never should have reached the dinner table.