Hardworking Families Face Rising Costs While Federal Government Withholds Much Needed Aid
Hungry children, cold families, and politicized disaster relief: people in need are suffering while US House Representatives sit at home and collect full salaries. Trump spends lavishly on private jets and his gilded White House ballroom.
Withholding Food from Hungry Children
As the government shutdown enters its second month, Trump’s U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) (a.k.a. food stamps) would be suspended as of November 1. Nationally, that will put 42 million poor Americans in danger of going hungry, including 1.4 million in North Carolina. 600,000 of whom are children.
NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson last week joined leaders from 23 other states to sue the USDA for refusing to use its available emergency funds to keep SNAP aid going. On Friday, two federal District Court judges ruled that the USDA could not withhold SNAP food aid benefits on the false claim that it can’t use emergency contingency funds for that basis.
We don’t know yet whether the Trump Administration will abide by the courts’ decision or follow its usual pattern of appeals and delays while children and communities go hungry around the nation.
Withholding Energy Relief from Cold Families
Meanwhile, 5.9 million American households are facing sudden delays in their aid for paying energy bills, just as temperatures are falling and energy prices are rising. Most of these households are among those threatened with hunger due to the sudden loss of SNAP aid as well.
Withholding Disaster Relief from WNC
Trump has made no secret of the fact that his decisions on what programs to cut are targeted to hit Democratic-led states and programs hardest. Even within once-bipartisan programs like disaster relief, the Trump Administration continues to slow-walk aid to disaster areas like the North Carolina mountains. According to Governor Stein, only 9% of the federal funding promised to Western NC has been delivered.
Meanwhile, news broke recently that Trump’s Administration bought two private jets for Secretary Kristi Noem and other leaders at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This is of particular note since DHS oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has failed to provide meaningful disaster relief to Western NC after Hurricane Helene.
Last month, WNC residents took matters into their own hands. They called for the removal of Trump’s “recovery czar,” Michael Whatley. In their petition, residents say, “Whatley’s absence and lack of accountability have become an obstacle rather than a solution.” It’s not just residents though, even republican lawmakers have started speaking out against DHS and FEMA leadership. Recently, Senator Ted Budd said he can’t get phone calls returned from Secretary Noem.
What Can You Do?
At times like these, we must come together and take care of each other. While legal and political pressure on the Trump Administration and Congress continues, private citizens also can help provide emergency direct assistance to hungry families and children. Find information on food banks and pantries providing such aid near you. Non-profit food aid agencies are always in search of additional financial donations and volunteer help.
