A season of joy and holiday magic has become fearful for neighbors, Robin and Erica. The two friends met in recovery at Beacon Mental Health. Robin is a mother and grandmother, and Erica is in remission from cancer. 

This year, during the government shutdown, both women found themselves among the 40 million SNAP participants whose benefits were suddenly paused. Overnight, participants were left without reliable access to the nutritious meals they counted on. 

For Erica, the news came as a shock.  

“I didn’t even realize there was a shutdown,” she said. “I’ve been in my little apartment hiding. I was like, ‘Oh, there’s what? They’re not giving us money for food?’ So, yeah. A little panicky.”  

The timing of the shutdown forced both women to consider how they would stretch their resources without SNAP. Robin especially feared the upcoming holiday season.  

“My biggest fear when I heard about the whole shutdown was, ‘How am I going to feed my family for Christmas and Thanksgiving?’” Robin said.  

As a mother and grandmother, Robin feels an intense responsibility to make the holidays memorable for her loved ones.   

“At home I just have myself, but during the holidays I’m Mom, I’m Grandma. I’ve got to cook the turkey dinner, and it’s all going to be hosted at my house,” she said. 

She described the role that SNAP benefits have in her life as a lifeline — a resource that helps her preserve cherished holiday traditions. Without SNAP, Robin shared that she may have had to pass down her holiday traditions to her children. 

While benefits were withheld, Robin and Erica received food from Harvesters. This resource helped their families worry less and continue their traditions.  

The effects of withholding SNAP from those in need of support have forced participants to strategize how they will receive their most basic needs. Additionally, it has eliminated the support that allows them to comfortably embrace the holidays.  

Harvesters is dedicated to closing the gap and providing meals for all of our neighbors. But, we can’t do it alone. We need the community to advocate to protect SNAP and all of the programs that work together to end food insecurity.