Shutdown is Over but the Hunger Crisis Continues

STEWARDS OF OUR EARTH

All of God’s Creation

Social Justice Committee, Holy Cross Parish, Mt. Airy, November 23, 2025

Recent legislation has ended the 43-day government shutdown. Resumption of funding includes “the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the child nutrition programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) through fiscal year (FY) 2026 (September 30, 2026) in the event that there is another government shutdown when the Continuing Resolution ends on January 30, 2026.” (Food Research and Action Center, 11/14/25) The majority of SNAP recipients are either children (2 in 5) or older adults over the age of 60 (1 in 5). (Ref) 

This is good news, but the interruption in benefits along with increasing food prices has taken a toll. “Already struggling with staffing shortages and complex federal reporting requirements, states were forced to recalculate benefits multiple times based on shifting USDA instructions. Each change meant new programming, new math, and new delays — all the while families waited in grocery lines with empty cards.” (Crystal FitzSimons, president, Food Research & Action Center, 11/12/25)

“As [food] prices continue to go up, it is no surprise that food insecurity is also on the rise in the United States, affecting 14 percent of U.S. households in 2023. That is 18 million households and 47 million people…. Some Catholic Charities leaders expect that even beefed-up capacity among charities will not be enough to address a renewed hunger crisis should another government shutdown begin in January, when a large portion of federal funding will expire if lawmakers do not reach a long-term deal.” (Kevin Clarke, America Magazine Weekly Dispatch, 11/14/25)

In this transition time, those in need of food count on us to provide, if we have the capacity.

Currently at Holy Cross, our HOPE Food Pantry is hurting for food/donations, so the Ladies Guild started a Giving Basket Drive which started on October 11 and will continue until Thanksgiving. Grab a food contribution slip or two from the basket at the entrance to the church or make a monetary donation to Holy Cross Food Pantry by placing it in the collection basket.

The team at St. Joseph’s Welcome Center in Kensington (where our own Olivia Sharkey serves) has been doing its best to support the families in the community who depend on food assistance. Even with the many generous donations, their food pantry is almost empty as they try to address the significant increase in need. If you would like to contribute food items, you can purchase some directly from their Amazon Wishlist, or you can make a donation.  Please indicate "SNAP" in the donation field. The Welcome Center is most grateful.

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 

Comments on this column may be directed to the Social Justice Committee at socialjustice@holycrossphl.org. Click here for column archive.