In the midst of a government shutdown, 42 million Americans were at risk of losing essential food assistance. This development threatened the well-being of many who rely on government support.

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A federal judge intervened, mandating the Trump administration to commence food stamp distributions by Monday. This decision aims to alleviate the immediate concerns of those dependent on these benefits.

Despite the court’s order, the White House maintained that it could not lawfully utilize federal emergency funds for this purpose. However, it announced plans to partially finance the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to ensure some level of aid continues.

Related Coverage: Local eateries are stepping up, providing complimentary meals to SNAP recipients facing benefit disruptions.

The repercussions of this situation are widespread, impacting hundreds of thousands of residents in the Chicago region alone, highlighting the broader national impact of the shutdown on food security.

Now, more than ever, food pantries are a lifeline for people who might otherwise go hungry.

In Elk Grove Village, the township is increasing its services to meet the needs of its residents.

Elk Grove Township leaders say the number of donations the pantry received last week was more than any other week in the pantry’s existence.

Most of those donations came from people who say they want to do their part to pick up their neighbors.

“I was just watching on television with the, I’m getting choked up,” said Carl Volz, who was donating to the food pantry.

Moved to tears, Volz says he doesn’t personally know anyone on SNAP benefits, but that didn’t stop him from dropping by the Elk Grove Township food pantry with a trunk full of food.

“When you see these people, they have to eat, you know. And they have kids, and how are they going to survive? It’s virtually impossible without help, and that’s what we’re here for. We’re here to help,” Volz said.

The groceries are put to good use. The pantry serves more than a thousand families a month, including 89-year old Carol Leber. She, like many seniors, lives on a fixed income, already dealing with the rising cost of just about everything.

“Every month, I think, ‘OK, well, this month I guess I can pay the ComEd bill. And next month, I’ll pay the Nicor bill,’ because I still have a mortgage on my house. The money doesn’t go far enough,” Leber said.

She said, thanks to SNAP and the pantry, she manages to stay fed. But the margins are thin. Leber says she has a little money left over from last month’s SNAP card.

“I usually have a little left at the end of every month. And this month, that happened to be $94, which may be all I’ll ever have. And then I don’t know what I’m gonna do,” Leber said.

In direct response to the pause in SNAP, the pantry is increasing the amount of food families can receive each month, and expanding their hours to reach more people. In addition, Township Administrator Izabela Manzo says they’ve seen a flood of donations coming in from the community.

“We just had, you know, a $5,000 donation come in today, and that is big. It comes from a company, but even just a couple of canned good items from anyone’s pantry goes a long way,” Manzo said.

“There are a lot of people who absolutely depend on the pantry. I know I do,” Leber said.

As the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits lingers, the pantry is gearing up for an increased need ahead of the holidays. It’s a need it says it is prepared to meet.

In Chicago, Manny’s Deli, located at 1141 S. Jefferson St. in the South Loop, will give a free family meal to the first 300 SNAP recipients every day this week.

“I think it’s great that they’re giving back to the community like this. Even though we are going through the times that we are going through,” SNAP recipient Patrick Jackson said.

On Monday, the line wrapped around the restaurant as recipients waited for a free sandwich.

“I was having a lunch with a longtime customer and mentor, and he gave me the idea to do this. It kind inspired me. We thought this was the best way to help Chicago at the time,” owner Dan Raskin said.

“I got a pastrami sandwich. It’s excellent; you can’t go wrong with Manny’s,” SNAP recipient Angelo Romano said.

In Avondale, CheSa’s Bistro is closed on Monday and Tuesday on West Addison Street. But, starting Tuesday, owner CheSa Rollins will give away jambalaya and bottled water from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesdays.

She has the only gluten-free creole restaurant in Chicago, but she recalls years ago being a young mom laid off and relying on help from SNAP.

“This what we want to do to show people. We appreciate them even if you can’t dine in. Just come pick up a hot meal and at least you won’t go hungry for today,” Rollins said.

In Albany Park, Kale My Name is offering free meals from 3-5 p.m. Patrons can also donate to help keep the free food possible.

“I’ve seen it go through waves, and now it’s not the best wave,” manager Tina Youkhana said. “And I want my community to do good.”

Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria is busy most days. The restaurant is named after the chef/owner’s oldest child. Now he and his wife are expecting a third, and he is offering free meals to pregnant persons and children.

Juan Ramirez says his family relied on assistance like SNAP growing up.

“Letting people know, ‘hey, we are here. You have businesses that support you,’” Ramirez said.

SNAP recipients can also get a free lunch at Wooden Paddle restaurants in La Grange or Lemont. Just show your Illinois Link card.

ACA health insurance premiums skyrocket

Meanwhile, Chicago-area residents are also struggling with increases in health insurance premiums through the Affordable Care Act.

“It’s the people that aren’t at the top and aren’t at the bottom. It’s everybody that’s in the middle that’s getting squeezed,” said Doug Butchart.

Butchart, of Elgin, care for his wife, Shadene, who has ALS.

“It’s crazy, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Butchart said.

His wife’s premium is more than doubling from $600 a month to nearly $1,400 a month.

But if the Obamacare tax credits, which are at the heart of the shutdown impasse, are not renewed, her premium will more than triple to over $2,000 a month.

“She doesn’t qualify for Medicare, and she doesn’t qualify, we don’t qualify for Medicaid,” Butchart said. “So, we’re stuck.”

The Butcharts are among millions appealing to leaders in Washington, D.C.

“Everybody’s blaming, pointing fingers at other people,” Butchart said. “They need to do something. They need to fix the problem.”

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