Amid the partial shutdown of the United States federal government, thousands of people across the country have joined long lines at food banks after payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were temporarily suspended.
The measure left millions without their monthly assistance, forcing food banks to exceed their usual capacity and serve new users who had never sought help before.
In places like the Bronx district of New York, food banks reported around 200 more people than usual in a single day, with some arriving as early as 4 a.m. to secure a spot in line and get something to eat.
What does this sudden surge in demand mean for United States food banks?
It means that many charitable organizations are at the edge of their limits. Volunteers and donors may be prepared for normal spikes, but not for a massive influx of people who depend entirely on this aid. If SNAP is paused again, the food security crisis could worsen significantly.