UPDATE: Urgent concerns rise as the federal shutdown threatens to deepen food insecurity for families in the Lewiston School District. With the potential suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on November 4, 2023, officials fear an imminent surge in hunger among local students.
The HUB, a critical resource providing food and support to Lewiston families, is bracing for increased demand. Currently, they prepare grocery boxes for about 10 families, a stark drop from last year’s average of 20 families served weekly. Jennifer Wallace, a social worker at The HUB, expressed her worries, stating, “I’ve been worried about it, I’m not going to lie.” She recounted a troubling conversation with a client who just lost her job and feared her family might not celebrate Thanksgiving this year due to impending food stamp losses.
The HUB’s operations are under strain. Just a month ago, they celebrated raising $16,000 through a fundraising initiative. However, as Wallace noted, this funding will be stretched thin if demand skyrockets in the coming weeks.
Adding to the anxiety, Tim Sperber, Lewiston School Superintendent, revealed that the continuity of federally subsidized school food programs is now in jeopardy. “We’re hearing now that federal lunch funding may be in jeopardy,” Sperber disclosed. The warning stems from the Idaho Child Nutrition Programs, cautioning that funding for school meals could dwindle if the shutdown persists beyond October.
The urgency of the situation is amplified by a recent lawsuit involving over two dozen states against the Trump Administration for its decision to withhold emergency funds for SNAP, which currently aids 40 million Americans. In Idaho alone, approximately 130,000 individuals rely on SNAP benefits, according to the USDA.
As the clock ticks down to the potential suspension of food assistance, families in Lewiston are left in a precarious position, with many uncertain about how they will provide for their children. The HUB, which began as a small initiative at Whitman Elementary under Sperber’s leadership, has expanded significantly, but its future remains uncertain in the face of rising need and dwindling resources.
In the coming days, communities are urged to prepare for a potential food crisis as local organizations like The HUB brace for a significant influx of requests for assistance. As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the federal government’s actions regarding SNAP and the impact on vulnerable families in Lewiston and beyond.
Stay tuned for ongoing updates as this critical story unfolds.
