For many Americans, the first of the month originally delivered relief: groceries in the fridge, bills paid on time and the hope of a little breathing room.
Now, with shrinking access to programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other vital assistance programs, that relief is disappearing. The very programs our government provides to ensure millions of Americans can get by are being stripped away right when families need them most.
On Nov. 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture moved to freeze SNAP payments, claiming it could no longer fund the program without Congress’s approval.
Hours before benefits were set to run out due to the prolonged government shutdown, two federal judges ruled the Trump administration must use emergency funding to keep these food assistance programs going. Yet the administration has ignored these orders, pointing fingers at Democrats and insisting that the situation could be solved if only Congress agreed to reopen the government. President Trump even suggested that Democrats are to blame for hurting the very people who rely on these programs.
But let’s be clear, it is not a political game. This is about people’s lives.
According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, “Emergency funding exists for exactly this kind of crisis. If the reality of 42 million Americans going hungry, including 1.4 million Michiganders, isn’t an emergency, I don’t know what is” (Michigan Department of Attorney General).
Around 14% of households in Michigan rely on SNAP, and when benefits are frozen, families are left scrambling, local governments are stretched thin and food pantries struggle to fill the gap.
It’s infuriating to watch legal loopholes and partisan blame-shifting take priority over basic human needs.
The USDA now claims it cannot legally use the contingency fund to maintain SNAP benefits during the shutdown. But just weeks ago, the agency’s own “Lapse of Funding Plan” explicitly stated that these contingency funds, which are estimated to be somewhere around $5 billion, can and should be used to keep benefits flowing.
That document even cited Congressional intent to ensure the program continues in case of a funding lapse. The sudden change in position raises questions: if the fund was intended for exactly this purpose, why is the administration refusing to use it now?
It’s hard not to feel like this has turned into a cruel game being played by the president.
The well-being of millions of Americans is being held over the heads of Democrats, used as leverage in a political fight over the government shutdown. What’s particularly frustrating is that it’s not a matter of lacking resources. Even without tapping into the contingency fund, there is enough money to keep these programs running. The choice to freeze benefits is exactly that, a choice.
If President Trump truly wanted to, he could grant the relief needed to allow SNAP and other vital assistance programs to continue without interruption. Doing so would not only prevent immediate harm to families who rely on these programs, but it could also show that he understands and cares about the real struggles people face.
For me, the decision to withhold benefits feels like a missed opportunity to exercise empathy and leadership. Instead, politics is taking precedence over people’s basic needs, leaving millions of Americans to bear the consequences.
Michigan isn’t standing by quietly while families go hungry.
Along with 24 other states, Michigan has joined a lawsuit against the USDA to maintain SNAP benefits during the shutdown. This legal action could be a critical tool for ensuring that millions of Americans continue to receive food assistance despite the federal government’s inaction. By challenging the USDA in court, these states are sending a clear message: the needs of families cannot be held hostage for political games.
I admire Governor Gretchen Whitmer for stepping up where she can. By directing $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan, she is doing everything within her power to ensure that families don’t go hungry while SNAP benefits hang in the balance. Her actions show a level of responsibility and empathy that is desperately needed right now.
I also admire our university for looking out for students early, who may have been affected by the temporary changes.
Lina Blair, our Dean of Student Life, sent out an email detailing the many resources on campus available to help students affected by these changes.
All of our campus pantries are welcoming and judgment-free, and it’s reassuring to know the university is actively supporting students who might be struggling to make ends meet. This kind of care shows that even in the midst of a national crisis, local communities can step in to provide real, tangible support.
Even in the face of political gridlock and uncertainty, there is hope. Now is the time to show empathy, to support our neighbors and to lift those struggling. Communities, leaders and individuals alike can make a real difference, reminding us that compassion is always within reach.