As the federal government shutdown dragged on, New York Attorney General Letitia James stepped up the pressure on Washington, visiting a Brooklyn soup kitchen to highlight the devastating impact of delayed SNAP benefits. The visit came just days after a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration must use emergency funds to keep the program running this month.
While the court order ensures some aid will resume, the Trump administration has announced it will only issue partial payments, leaving uncertainty over when and how much families will receive. The White House remained tight-lipped on the issue, refusing to comment.
James spoke with those waiting in line for donated meals at the Christian Fellowship Seventh-Day Adventist Church in East Flatbush, where she was met with dire warnings about the effects of the funding freeze. "We've seen lines of women, men and children standing in line for food," James said. "And unfortunately, the problem has only gotten worse."
For those like Ali McKinnon, who relies on food banks after struggling to qualify for SNAP due to living in a shelter, the situation is particularly dire. McKinnon warned that if people are left without access to basic necessities, chaos will ensue. "We don't need that right now," he said.
Raymond Cuevas, another soup kitchen patron who had been relying on SNAP benefits after taking time off work due to cancer treatment, expressed similar concerns about the impact on low-income families with children. "People are deciding between insurance for their car or food for their kids," he said. "God is watching."
The visit by James was joined by Congressmember Yvette Clarke and Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman, who echoed her sentiments about the urgent need to resolve the funding impasse. The USDA remained silent on the issue.
The crisis highlights the human toll of Washington's inaction, with families forced to make impossible choices between basic necessities like food and healthcare. As the standoff continues, it remains to be seen when – or if – the White House will provide a solution to this critical problem.
While the court order ensures some aid will resume, the Trump administration has announced it will only issue partial payments, leaving uncertainty over when and how much families will receive. The White House remained tight-lipped on the issue, refusing to comment.
James spoke with those waiting in line for donated meals at the Christian Fellowship Seventh-Day Adventist Church in East Flatbush, where she was met with dire warnings about the effects of the funding freeze. "We've seen lines of women, men and children standing in line for food," James said. "And unfortunately, the problem has only gotten worse."
For those like Ali McKinnon, who relies on food banks after struggling to qualify for SNAP due to living in a shelter, the situation is particularly dire. McKinnon warned that if people are left without access to basic necessities, chaos will ensue. "We don't need that right now," he said.
Raymond Cuevas, another soup kitchen patron who had been relying on SNAP benefits after taking time off work due to cancer treatment, expressed similar concerns about the impact on low-income families with children. "People are deciding between insurance for their car or food for their kids," he said. "God is watching."
The visit by James was joined by Congressmember Yvette Clarke and Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman, who echoed her sentiments about the urgent need to resolve the funding impasse. The USDA remained silent on the issue.
The crisis highlights the human toll of Washington's inaction, with families forced to make impossible choices between basic necessities like food and healthcare. As the standoff continues, it remains to be seen when – or if – the White House will provide a solution to this critical problem.
... I mean, SNAP benefits are meant to support low-income families, not leave them scrambling like that. The fact that partial payments are being issued is just a Band-Aid solution – it's still going to take a toll on people's lives. And what about those who can't afford insurance or food? We need more than just emergency funds to address this crisis 
. It's heartbreaking to hear Ali and Raymond sharing their struggles... we really need Congress to step up and find a long-term solution ASAP 
I'm not buying that everyone who relies on SNAP benefits is just being dramatic. Like, come on... we all know people are struggling to make ends meet already. This shutdown isn't going to magically fix everything. And honestly, those "dire warnings" from the soup kitchen patrons sound like just a normal day in the life of someone struggling to get by. We need to stop making this about being "compassionate" and start making decisions that benefit the most vulnerable people. 
. I'm so glad the court ordered emergency funds to be released, but now there's still uncertainty over when and how much people will receive 
, especially for those who are already struggling to get by. I mean, imagine not knowing how you're gonna feed your kids next month, that's just devastating. it's like they're choosing between paying rent and putting food on the table. and now this latest news about only partial payments? it's like they're playing a game of roulette with people's lives 
. I'm all for holding those in power accountable, but at what cost? can't we just get some answers instead of more uncertainty? and what about the ones who don't have a voice, you know? the single moms working multiple jobs just to make ends meet? they're the ones who need help the most 
. anyway, it's clear that Washington is getting its priorities all wrong if this is how they're handling something so basic 
. It's like the government is putting people in a impossible spot, and it's just not right 
. The fact that Congressmember Yvette Clarke and Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman were there showing some support is a good start, but more needs to be done 
. It's heartbreaking to hear those stories about people struggling to access food banks due to living in shelters 
.
This shutdown is getting crazy! 
The fact that people are having to choose between paying for their kids' insurance or buying groceries is just heartbreaking. We need some real leadership here and a solution ASAP! 
. We can't just leave these families to fend for themselves, we need to do something! 
, you know, just to make sure everyone's basic needs are met. And what's up with the partial payments, like they're trying to keep people in limbo indefinitely? 
. We should be working together as a country, not pitting one group against another 
i mean, who else is gonna speak up for those struggling in need? the pics of ppl lining up at soup kitchens are straight heartbreaking 
lets hope the White House starts listening soon 
. What's going on over there? Can't we all just get along and work towards something better for everyone? 
, like Ali McKinnon said "we don't need that right now" 
, how's that supposed to work? 
and 45% have kids under 18 
, can't the gov just get it together? 
we're talking emergency funding here, where's the plan? 
, what are they supposed to do when there's no money for either? 
and 25% have limited access to healthcare 
the admin should just be transparent about their plans instead of dodging questions 
and these ppl is losin hope every day cuz washington is all like "nope, ur on ur own" 
. We need some solutions that aren't just band-aids or temporary fixes... I'm all for finding a way to make this work, but we can't keep going on like this 
. We need concrete answers from our leaders ASAP 
.