Dozens of community members volunteered at a Towson food bank on Tuesday to pack and distribute bags of groceries amid a surge in demand for food.
The Assistance Center of Towson Churches, a distribution partner of the Maryland Food Bank, has seen an increased need for food since the monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits lapsed on Saturday.
The food bank can fit 400 bags of groceries on its shelves, which are restocked every two weeks.
“A year ago, that would get us through a two-week period,” said Julie Morris, the logistics and transition coordinator for the food bank. Now, the team has to make midweek runs to their warehouse in Timonium to make up for the 20% increase in customers.
Even with Gov. Wes Moore’s announcement of $62 million in funding to ensure full November benefits, organizations are still expecting a delay in benefits and an increased need for food.
“Beyond November, the need is going to persist,” said Elise Krikau, the chief philanthropy officer at Maryland Food Bank. “Not only because we have furloughed workers who are still not being paid, but also because the trade-offs people have made this month.”
One of Tuesday’s volunteers was Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D-Maryland. Bundled in a bright blue jacket against a sharp wind, the congressman spoke with constituents and carried bags filled with special requests, like frozen meatballs and fresh apples. He said he hopes congressional leaders and the president can agree to re-open the government and resume SNAP funding.
“I’m calling on the Trump administration to release all of the money appropriated by Congress to help feed hungry Americans,” Olszewski said. “Hungry children should not be used as political pawns.”
But Republicans continued to blame Democrats for the failure to reach a deal.
The benefits “will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do,” wrote President Trump on his social media platform.
A federal judge has said that the administration has a legal responsibility to provide SNAP funding if the money is available. Trump said he has instructed government lawyers to “ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible.” The White House did not immediately respond to request for comment.
Meanwhile, as the government shutdown continues into November and approaches a record for the longest shutdown, Marylanders continue to struggle with food insecurity and missed paychecks.
Tony Vazzano, a retired physician from Baltimore County, has been volunteering at the Towson food bank for two years. His wife volunteers at a soup kitchen, and they’ve both noticed an increase in demand.
“In the last few weeks … we’ll come home and we’ll say, ‘Hey, there’s more people. It’s busier than usual,’” Vazzano said.
Volunteering with the food bank has given Vazzano a sense of purpose after retirement.
“You don’t want people to have more need,” said Vazzano, “but it makes you feel better because you’re doing more work and you’re helping more people.”