As the weather gets colder and the holiday season is upon us, people start to plan their Christmas dinners and buy gifts for family and friends. The holiday season should bring fun and excitement, but 42 million Americans may go without food this holiday season.
During September, our government temporarily shut down due to Democrats demanding subsidies on healthcare plans, and Republicans disagreeing on healthcare. When the government cannot agree, they have to halt in their session. When the government shuts down, federal workers do not work and ultimately do not get paid. 700,000 federal workers have not been paid since the shutdown, and a stifling 730,000 have been working without pay. This causes anxiety for those not being paid during some of the most expensive times of the year.
Along with the government shut down, many government-funded programs have not been receiving funding and some, like SNAP, have even run out of money. SNAP is a crucial program funded by the government that provides food to 42 million Americans each month.
SNAP is a form of food stamps that provide food to low income families. During the month of October, their funding ran dry, leaving millions of Americans wondering if they can provide their families with meals the next night. This Christmas, even if the government goes back to work and SNAP eventually gets their funding back, Americans that rely on food stamps will have been living well beyond their means for almost two months. This poses the question, why should millions of Americans suffer because our politicians, who do not need food stamps or forms of government assistance, cannot agree?
Americans should not have to suffer at the hand of a selfish government, who shut down originally because one side of the political spectrum does not want to provide suffering Americans with the healthcare they need and deserve.
People who do not need food stamps, SNAP, or government assistance can help out during these tumultuous times.
The Refuge is a food and service bank in Greenwood. They are always open to volunteering and people can donate boxed food items or other items like diapers and baby wipes.
Greenwood Service Club put together “Break Boxes” for families in the community that are struggling. First period teachers collected specific items for the boxes, and bringing in items allowed students to help those who might not have had Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner food during breaks from school.
And lastly, I urge you to call on your representatives at the federal level to hear out the American people and have them speak up for us in their elected positions. In Greenwood; your representative is Congressman Jefferson Shreve. His office phone number is, (202) 225-3021. Your senators include Jim Banks and Todd Young. Their phone numbers are: (202) 224-5623 and (202) 224-4814.
America is struggling right now, and our elected officials should be here to help us and be our voice at the federal level. Our representatives do not seem to care about the American people. Be the change and help someone this holiday season.
