URGENT UPDATE: As the federal shutdown continues, families in the Lewiston School District are bracing for an impending hunger crisis. Officials are alarmed that if the U.S. Department of Agriculture suspends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on November 4, 2023, the number of hungry children could surge dramatically.
The HUB, a vital resource providing food and support to families in Lewiston, is already witnessing rising concerns. Just this past Tuesday, the HUB prepared grocery boxes for about 10 families, a stark contrast to the 20 families it supported regularly last year. “I’ve been worried about it, I’m not going to lie,” said Jennifer Wallace, one of the social workers at the HUB. The impact of the SNAP suspension could be devastating, as families prepare for a potentially foodless Thanksgiving.
Wallace recounted a troubling conversation with a woman who recently lost her job and feared losing her food stamps. “She said she doubted if her family would have Thanksgiving at all this year,” Wallace revealed, highlighting the human cost behind the statistics.
The situation is compounded by the threat of losing funding for federally subsidized school food programs. Tim Sperber, Lewiston School Superintendent, confirmed that the Idaho Child Nutrition Programs warned school administrators of possible funding cuts if the shutdown extends beyond October. “We’re hearing now that federal lunch funding may be in jeopardy,” Sperber stated.
In a further blow, over two dozen states are suing the Trump Administration for failing to utilize emergency funds to maintain SNAP benefits, which assist over 40 million Americans. In Idaho alone, approximately 130,000 residents depend on SNAP for their food security, according to USDA data.
The HUB’s recent fundraising efforts, which raised $16,000, were initially viewed as a lifeline, expected to last until June 2026. However, if demand spikes significantly due to the suspension of food stamps, those funds may quickly dwindle, leaving many families in dire situations.
The community’s response has been heartening. The HUB began at Whitman Elementary under Sperber’s leadership and has since grown substantially, now operating from the Old Lewiston High campus. Yet, with uncertainty looming, both school administrators and social workers are urgently seeking solutions to mitigate the impending fallout.
As the deadline approaches, families and local organizations are left in suspense, hoping the government will resolve the shutdown before hunger becomes a widespread crisis. Meanwhile, community leaders urge families to prepare for possible food shortages.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds. The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated: the effects of the federal shutdown are set to deeply impact the lives of thousands in the Lewiston community.
