This story was updated to reflect the most up-to-date information regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the government shutdown.

As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fifth week, thousands of Louisiana residents are facing growing uncertainty about how they’ll put food on the table.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps more than 790,000 residents across the state, has become one of the many public programs caught in the political gridlock in Washington.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced a short-term plan to use state funds to support vulnerable households — including seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities; however, many recipients still face uncertainty.

The Supreme Court granted an emergency appeal on Friday morning to the Trump administration to temporarily block a federal court order requiring the administration to continue fully funding the program. The administration said they would use $4.65 billion in contingency funding to cover about half of people’s benefits this month before the emergency appeal.

Though partial funding will come through state and federal channels, there’s still uncertainty around how people can afford food for the remainder of the shutdown. Many are expected to turn to local food banks and community meal programs to make ends meet.

Local businesses like Our Mom’s Restaurant & Bar in Hammond are offering affordable meals during the shutdown. The restaurant’s weekly “Kid’s Night,” where children eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée after 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, has become a small but meaningful source of relief for parents feeling the financial burden.

The restaurant’s weekly deals extend beyond families, offering $5 hamburgers on Mondays and a 25% discount for students and faculty on Thursdays.

While restaurants can’t replace government aid, deals like these highlight how local businesses can ease the burden during the shutdown.

Alongside local restaurants, some local food banks are already seeing the effects of the government shutdown. There has been an increase in visitors and families who heavily rely on federal nutrition programs.

Our Daily Bread is the local food bank in Hammond. Residents can apply online for a monthly food box. Head to their website to see if you qualify. Their hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9-11 a.m. on every third Saturday of the month.

Our Daily Bread Executive Director John Hair said there has been a noticeable rise in visitors in the last few weeks. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the organization gave out 540 food boxes and another 400 boxes on Thursday, Nov. 6. Since the government shutdown has taken place, they’ve distributed over 5,000 food boxes throughout the city.

“I’ve been feeding people through hurricanes, COVID and any personal situations they may have. Even with the shortages, we’re going to keep feeding people. I say, ‘Just give it to them,’” Hair said. “God asked me, ‘Would you deny helping more people?’ And I said, ‘No.’”

Hair said he encourages everyone to help in any way they can during this time, such as through donating or volunteering.

On campus, students can always access the Roomie’s food pantry. The hours of operation are from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Students, faculty and staff can visit with their student ID twice a week and grab ten items per visit.

Thais Lindemayer Gomes, coordinator for Southeastern’s international programs and student well-being, said the 2023-2024 Popeyes grants have helped keep the food pantry stocked during the shutdown.

The food pantry recently created a helpful registration system designed to better serve first-time visitors..

“Thankfully, we’ve been receiving a lot of support from the community. We have been very intentional about outreach, both to the community donors and the students who really need this resource,” Gomes said.

Student religious organizations offer free hot meals every week throughout the semester. The Kairos Ministry offers free hot meals from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Mondays; the Catholic Student Association provides meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Tuesdays; and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry gives out meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Take advantage of local food resources to continue eating during an uncertain period surrounding SNAP benefits and the government shutdown.