MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – People with SNAP benefits, also known as FoodShare, may not receive their typical benefits, which support grocery store funds, starting next month because of the government shutdown.

The USDA says if the shutdown continues past October, there will be insufficient funds, meaning November benefits will be delayed or possibly not provided at all.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says FoodShare members should stock up on food before the end of the month.

Shyniece Jackson, a Madison mother of two, relies on SNAP benefits for home groceries and school lunches.

Her youngest daughter was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at just three days old.

“It’s just very, very, very hard,” Jackson said. “Just to be able to try to juggle those two is very challenging.”

Jackson said expenses add up quickly, and it can be difficult to go to work when her daughter is in and out of the hospital.

“So it’s just been a lot of hurdles and challenges,” Jackson said.

Jackson gets support through the Badger Childhood Cancer Network. She says they help provide gift cards and resources when she needs a little extra support.

“She was able to give me resources with just a gift card to be able to go buy them a coat because they didn’t have certain things,” explained Jackson. “Whatever it is that I need, Susannah has always been that person to be there. So I don’t look at it as a donation or a charity, it’s more like a friend type of atmosphere that we’ve been going through.”

Susannah Peterson is the Executive Director of the Badger Childhood Cancer Network.

The Badger Childhood Cancer Network helps provide support and services to families of children who are in treatment for cancer or life-threatening blood diseases at the American Family Children’s Hospital.

Peterson says 70% of their families are middle to low income, and about 50% will be impacted by delays or cuts to SNAP funding.

“There’ll be a surge, and I’ll know that this is kind of odd to have this many families that are in need of housing payments, help with something or they may lose their financial footing with all the balls in the air they may be juggling,” explained Peterson.

Peterson said the expenses they help families with come out of the organization’s budget. They expect it to be a challenge to help everyone who needs support if a plan is not put in place for government assistance.

WayForward Resources is also concerned, knowing that more people may need their support. They say demand is already increasing. On Friday, volunteers said they had more than a 50% increase in people coming into their pantry.

The organization says food pantries don’t compare to the support SNAP benefits provide.

“For every one meal that a food pantry gives out, the equivalent of 1 meal, SNAP is providing over 9 meals,” said Leslie Huber, Senior Director of Development and Community Engagement with WayForward Resources. “So there are a lot of people in our community who are relying on this.”

Huber says she hopes that things can be resolved, but they are planning for worst-case scenarios. WayForward is working on ordering more food to be ready if demand increases in November, but she says they still need support.

“Any food pantry in your community could use your help right now,” Huber said.

WayForward Resources accepts financial and pantry item donations.

Badger Childhood Cancer Network accepts online donations. Cash gifts or grocery cards can also be sent to their office.

According to DHS, nearly 65,000 people in Dane County alone rely on SNAP benefits. Governor Tony Evers said nearly 700,000 people in the state will be without access to food if a solution is not found by the end of the month.

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