Food insecure students and the San José community grapple with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits being put on hold amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Starting on Nov. 1, SNAP benefits were halted from receiving funding and nearly 42 million Americans who receive those benefits will be affected because of the shutdown, according to the New York Post.
The government shut down on Oct. 1 because of the previous federal budget expiring and an agreement could not be reached between the Democrats and Republicans for a new bill funding government services, according to a Monday article by BBC.
Disagreements in funding were expected because of the signing of President Donald J. Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” that was signed in July, according to an Oct. 3 article by NPR.
Catherine Voss Plaxton, SJSU associate vice president for health, wellness, and student services, released a statement on behalf of San José State regarding these changes occurring.
“We recognize that these shifts can create uncertainty, anxiety and added financial stress for students and their families,” Voss Plaxton said. “ SJSU offers resources that can help.”
The statement provided multiple links that students can utilize which includes links to SJSU Cares and off-campus resources.
This includes the community assistance resources which provide information to local organizations providing assistance such as Sacred Heart Community Service, Martha’s Kitchen and Hunger at Home to name a few.
Voss Plaxton said that the university will do what it can to support students in need in the statement.
“SJSU is committed to ensuring that every student has access to essential resources, such as food, housing and transportation,” Voss Plaxton said.
SJSU is also asking for donations with “Spartans take care of Spartans” and asking the SJSU community to help.
The donations requested are to assist the Spartan Food Pantry and it lists contributions that would be helpful such as nonperishable food, hygiene items and monetary gifts according to the university statement.
Brenjielyn Cuneta, basic needs coordinator of the Spartan Food Pantry said an immediate effect hasn’t been felt, but they’re preparing for that possibility.
“I would say it’s a little bit early to see any crucial changes – it’s something we will be monitoring or tracking within the next few days and next following weeks as well,” Cuneta said.
Cuneta says the food pantry is doing its best to prepare for a higher number of students going to the pantry, especially since a lot of students rely on CalFresh assistance and benefits.
CalFresh recipients’ November benefits will be delayed by the government shutdown, according to an Oct. 23 CBS article.
“We are expecting that the Spartan Food Pantry would be one of the resources that students would rely on as they experience that pause,” Cuneta said.
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley has been the main provider of food items at the Spartan Food Pantry, according to the SJSU website.
Many community resources in San José have assisted people affected by the shutdown search for areas of support such as Instagram being used by Santa Clara County Public Health providing food resources.
Art Pocket San José also provided information on Instagram about food banks and in the area such as Loaves and Fishes along with information on monthly market distributions at Seven Trees Family Resource Center.
Cuneta also said the pantry has been using its reserves budget to provide more options and items at the pantry.
She also said the pantry has also received donations to keep the services available for students in need which shows a sense of unity in a time of need.
“You can actually see a sense of community, there’s a lot of community members reaching out to help,” Cuneta said.
Local San José restaurants such as Tony & Alba’s Pizza & Pasta and Shrimp’n Ain’t Eazy are providing free meals for children who rely on SNAP, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
SNAP benefits help provide many services for people, especially students.
It provides benefits to low-income families and supplements their grocery budget so they can afford food, according to the USDA website.
With the many responsibilities that students have, the stoppage of these benefits can add onto the stresses of being a student.
“As students, they are already going through a lot. They have a lot of responsibilities – some have jobs. Knowing that their resources or basically their budget is limited. I can only imagine how stressful it can be,” Cuneta said.
The Trump administration announced it will partially fund SNAP with emergency funds after the administration was ordered to by a federal Rhode Island judge, according to a Monday article by ABC news.
“Last semester, our number of visits in a day was 200, but our average now is about 250,” Cuneta said.
Silvester Torres, a master’s student in microbiology, utilizes the food pantry and said this change could affect students and cause them to worry about having basic necessities such as food.
“Knowing the food pantry is available for anyone makes me feel comfortable when it comes to food – not having that backup for snacks and food worries me,” Torres said.
Torres said they notice how some students grab bags full of food which shows how much it helps students who need it.
Although the SNAP benefits are facing uncertainty, Cuneta said she wants students to know that the food pantry can support students in need.
“The Spartan Food Pantry is here for them, we’re doing our best in advocating for (students) and providing for them, at least some assistance,” Cuneta said.
