MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) —
“How do you pay your rent and how do you afford to eat at the same time?” asks a Merced father of three who relies on food benefits. These are the pressing questions facing many residents experiencing food insecurity in Merced County. Lines at food banks have grown longer as the budgets of SNAP recipients shrink amid a government shutdown with no clear path to reopening.
**Struggling to Make Ends Meet**
Families across Merced County are feeling the pressure. “Going paycheck to paycheck and then now on top of it, still trying to feed our kids, it’s pretty tough,” says Jaime Mounce, a mother in Merced. Mounce shared that the last time she saw funds deposited on her EBT card was November 1.
Hundreds of residents arrived at a community food giveaway in Merced on Friday. Volunteers with the Merced County Food Bank joined in to help meet the need.
“At this time, as a community, we need as much help as we can get,” says Joseph Hypes, Director of Development for the Merced Community Food Bank.
**Recent Updates and Ongoing Uncertainty**
Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that SNAP funds had been deposited onto recipients’ EBT cards, although some are still waiting for assistance. Several states across the country have already issued full SNAP benefits.
In a statement to Action News, valley Congressman Jim Costa weighed in after a week of political back-and-forth:
“No family in my district or across the nation deserves to have their food access stripped away because of the Administration’s reckless back-and-forth decisions. In the richest nation in the world, it is outrageous that we would use food for political negotiations.”
**Community Support and Continued Need**
SNAP recipients are expressing concern about their ability to fill their pantries on a daily basis. “Kinda scared. That’s what I live on. It’s a day-to-day thing,” one local resident shared.
Those who rely on critical food benefits continue to struggle, sometimes going days without basic essentials. Many in the community are unsure how long they can hold out as the government withholds essential programs. “Without SNAP I wouldn’t be able to survive. It’s hard out here,” said another recipient.
**How to Help**
On Saturday, the Merced County Food Bank will hold a community-wide food drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you would like to support the food bank, you can drop off any non-perishable food items at the back of the Merced County Food Bank, located on Olive and Hwy 59.
Your support can make a difference for families in Merced County who need it most during these challenging times.
https://abc30.com/post/merced-county-snap-recipients-detail-struggle-food-budget-shrinks/18128780/