US Faces Food Crisis as Government Shutdown Disrupts Aid Programs

In the United States, food distribution centers are experiencing severe shortages due to the federal government shutdown, according to a report. Long lines have formed at aid stations, with individuals arriving early in the morning to access essentials such as fruits, vegetables, bread, dairy products, and canned goods. Volunteers noted an increasing number of people seeking assistance daily. The crisis stems from the temporary halt of payments under the federal SNAP program, which supports 42 million Americans with food benefits. Priest John Udo-Okon described the situation as a profound hardship, stating, “This is more than a crisis… Right now you can see the despair, you can feel the disappointment that people are experiencing.”