When the Government Gets Paid but the People Go Hungry

My AI agent Named GinaChat helped me put this list together because it is a shame that our wealthy politrickians can shut down the government, still collect their paychecks, and yet cut millions of people off from benefits that feed families. The argument is not about whether there is abuse. We know some exists. But cutting people off completely like this is cruel.

We hope and pray everyone can find a way to feed themselves without having to hurt anyone else, especially those with little babies who need formula. No one in a nation this rich should ever have to choose between eating and surviving.

If someone’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit stops next month, they can still get help. Call or text the following national services first:
• The USDA National Hunger Hotline (1‑866‑3‑HUNGRY / 1‑866‑348‑6479 or 1‑877‑8‑HAMBRE / 1‑877‑842‑6273) operates Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–8:00 PM Eastern time. Representatives can locate nearby meal sites, food banks and social services. You can also text 914‑342‑7744 with a keyword such as “food” or “meals” to get an automated response with nearby resources.
• Dial 2‑1‑1 on your phone to reach a local United Way/211 service. USA.gov explains that calling 211 connects you with agencies and community organisations that can help you find emergency food. If you can’t reach 2‑1‑1, call 1‑844‑872‑4681 for assistance.
• The SNAP toll‑free information number (1‑800‑221‑5689) can answer questions about benefits. For pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers or children under five, the WIC program may provide supplemental food; state WIC agencies handle applications. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides free USDA‑grown foods through local agencies to low‑income people.

How to get help:

Call or text the numbers above to get referrals for meal sites, food pantries or free groceries in your community.
Visit the websites of your state’s food‑bank network (below). Many sites have “Find Food” or “Food Finder” tools.
Reach out to community or religious organisations and school districts, which often operate meal programs and pantries.
If you’re pregnant or have children under five, contact your state WIC agency.
In declared disasters, ask if you qualify for Disaster‑SNAP (D‑SNAP).
State‑by‑state food‑bank resources (websites from the United In Food reference):

Alabama: Feeding Alabama’s food‑bank network; website feedingalabama.org/alabama-food-bank-network. Use the food‑finder tool and call 2‑1‑1 for assistance.

Alaska: Food Bank of Alaska; website foodbankofalaska.org. Visit the site for a list of distribution programs or call 211 for help.

Arizona: Arizona Food Bank Network; website azfoodbanks.org. The site lists all member food banks by county; call 211 for local referrals.

Arkansas: Arkansas food‑bank network (Food Banks of Arkansas) at foodbanksofarkansas.org. Use the online map or call 211 to locate a pantry.

California: California Association of Food Banks at cafoodbanks.org. The association links to county‑level food banks; call 211 or your county food bank for details.

Colorado: Feeding Colorado at feedingcolorado.org. This site lists Colorado’s regional food banks; contact them or call 211.

Connecticut: Connecticut Foodshare at ctfoodshare.org. Their food‑locator tool helps you find a pantry; you can also call 211 for assistance.

Delaware: Food Bank of Delaware at fbd.org. Use their “Find Food” tool or call 302‑292‑1305; 211 can also help.

District of Columbia: Capital Area Food Bank at capitalareafoodbank.org. The site lists distribution locations in D.C.; call 202‑644‑9800 or 211.

Florida: Feeding Florida (state network) at feedingflorida.org/florida-food-banks. Each of Florida’s 12 food banks has a locator; dial 211 for immediate help. I have interviewed a program that I discovered a worker getting the donations from Chick-Fila Deborah Morgan’s Vision to End Hunger with Palm Beach Harvest 

Georgia: Feeding Georgia at feedinggeorgia.org/find-your-food-bank. The site connects you to seven regional food banks; call 211 for assistance.

Hawaii: Hawaii Foodbank at hawaiifoodbank.org. It lists island‑specific distribution sites; call 808‑836‑3600 or 211 for help.

Idaho: The Idaho Foodbank at idahofoodbank.org. Use their food assistance locator or call 208‑336‑9643; 211 provides referrals.

Illinois: Feeding Illinois at feedingillinois.org/food-banks. Find your regional food bank and call 211 to connect to local pantries.

Indiana: Indiana Family & Social Services Administration’s food assistance map at in.gov/fssa/dfr/food-assistance-availability-map. Enter your location or call 211 to find nearby pantries.

Iowa: Food Bank of Iowa at foodbankiowa.org. Their “Get Help” page lists pantries; call 515‑564‑0330 or 211.

Kansas: Kansas Food Bank at kansasfoodbank.org. Use their help center or call 316‑265‑4421; 211 can assist too.

Kentucky: Feeding Kentucky at feedingky.org. They list seven food banks and many pantries; call 211 for local assistance.

Louisiana: Feeding Louisiana at feedinglouisiana.org/find-food. Use the site’s locator or call 211 to reach one of Louisiana’s five food banks.

Maine: The Maine TEFAP and food‑bank directory (maine.gov/dacf/ard/food-assistance/tefap/bytown.shtml). It lists distribution sites by town; call 211 or contact Good Shepherd Food Bank.

Maryland: Maryland Food Bank at mdfoodbank.org. Use their food finder and call 410‑737‑8282 or 211 for assistance.

Massachusetts: Commonwealth of Massachusetts food‑bank finder at mass.gov/how-to/find-a-local-food-bank. The site lists regional food banks; call 211 to locate a pantry.

Michigan: Food Bank Council of Michigan at fbcmich.org/food-bank-network. Use the network’s locator or call 211 for help.

Minnesota: Feeding America’s Minnesota hunger page at feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/minnesota. It links to Second Harvest Heartland and other food banks; call 211.

Mississippi: Mississippi Food Network at msfoodnet.org. Their “Find Food” page lists partner agencies; call 601‑353‑7286 or 211.

Missouri: Feeding Missouri at feedingmissouri.org/get-help/your-fb. Find your local food bank and call 211 for pantry locations.

Montana: Montana Food Bank Network at mfbn.org. The site provides a directory of pantries; call 406‑721‑3825 or 211.

Nebraska: Nebraska’s resource and referral system at nrrs.ne.gov (search code 118.122) lists food pantries and TEFAP sites. You can also contact Food Bank for the Heartland (402‑331‑1213) or call 211.

Nevada: Feeding America’s Nevada page at feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/nevada links to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and Three Square Food Bank. Call those agencies or dial 211 for help.

New Hampshire: New Hampshire Food Bank at nhfoodbank.org. Use their pantry locator or call 603‑669‑9725; 211 can assist.

New Jersey: Community FoodBank of New Jersey at cfbnj.org. Use their “Find Food” tool or call 908‑355‑3663; 211 is available statewide.

New Mexico: New Mexico Association of Food Banks at nmfoodbanks.org. Find your regional food bank or call 505‑349‑5348 and 211.

New York: New York’s Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance map at health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/hpnap/regional_foodbankmap.htm. It lists regional food banks; call 211 for local pantry information.

North Carolina: Feeding the Carolinas at feedingthecarolinas.org. The network serves both North and South Carolina; use the website to find a food bank or call 211.

North Dakota: Great Plains Food Bank at greatplainsfoodbank.org. Use their help line (701‑232‑6219) or dial 211 for assistance.

Ohio: Ohio Association of Foodbanks at ohiofoodbanks.org. It lists 12 regional food banks; call 211 to locate a pantry.

Oklahoma: Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma at regionalfoodbank.org and Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Visit the site or call 405‑972‑1111; 211 offers referrals.

Oregon: Oregon Food Bank at oregonfoodbank.org. Their “Food Finder” tool shows nearby distribution sites; call 503‑282‑0555 or 211.

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services food‑pantry map at pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/ending-hunger/food-pantries.html. Use the map or call 211.

Rhode Island: Rhode Island Community Food Bank at rifoodbank.org. Use their “Find Food” tool or call 401‑942‑6325; 211 is available.

South Carolina: Feeding the Carolinas at feedingthecarolinas.org. Use the website to connect with your regional food bank or call 211.

South Dakota: Feeding South Dakota at feedingsouthdakota.org. Their “Find Food” tool connects you to mobile distributions; call 605‑335‑0364 or 211 for help.

Tennessee: Tennessee Association of Food Banks at tnfoodbanks.org. Locate your regional food bank and call 211 for local food resources.

Texas: Feeding Texas at feedingtexas.org. The network lists 21 food banks; call 211 or the toll‑free line 877‑TEX‑MEAL (877‑839‑6325) for help.

Utah: Utah Food Bank at utahfoodbank.org. Use their food locator or call 801‑978‑2452; 211 is also available.

Vermont: Vermont Foodbank at vtfoodbank.org. The site provides a food distribution map; call 802‑476‑3341 or 211.

Virginia: Virginia Federation of Food Banks at vafoodbanks.org. It lists seven food banks across the state; call 211 for local help.

Washington: Washington state’s “Get help finding food” page at wa.gov/how-to-guides/get-help-finding-food. It links to food banks and lists the statewide 211 phone number.

West Virginia: Mountaineer Food Bank (mountaineerfoodbank.org) and Facing Hunger Foodbank serve the state. Use their food‑finder tools or call 304‑364‑5518; dial 211 for help.

Wisconsin: Feeding Wisconsin at feedingwi.org. The site lists six regional food banks; call 211 to locate a pantry.

Wyoming: Wyoming Food Bank (wyomingfoodbank.org). Use their “Find Food” page or call 307‑265‑2172; 211 is also available.

People facing food insecurity should use these resources immediately. Calling 211 or the National Hunger Hotline can quickly connect you with meal programs, food banks and help applying for other nutrition assistance. Remember that programs like WIC and TEFAP are designed to help people who do not qualify for or have lost SNAP benefits. Reach out early, provide your zip code or address when asked, and bring identification if required at pick‑up sites; many programs do not require proof of income for emergency assistance.