When the Safety Net Fails, the People of God Step Up

The Food Bank Drop off Boxes at Stayton UMC!

As the government shutdown continues, many families who rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are bracing for the worst: their benefits are being paused. For millions of households across the country, this means no money for groceries next week—and no clear idea of when help will come again.

This week, thousands of our neighbors will lose their food benefits. That reality hits close to home — right here in our own community. In Oregon, 1 in 6 people rely on SNAP benefits,

and more than half of them are children, seniors, or people with disabilities.

Our friends at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salem, who host The Lord’s Cupboard food ministry, reported a 20% increase in visitors just this week — a clear sign that more families are struggling to put food on the table. From a Christian perspective, this is unconscionable. To deliberately withhold food assistance from the most vulnerable among us—children, elders, and people living with disabilities—is a moral failing of the highest order. Scripture is clear: when our neighbors are hungry, our faith compels us to act. The prophets cried out against systems that trampled the poor, and Jesus himself said that whenever we feed the hungry, we are feeding him.

I live in Silverton, Oregon, so now more than ever, our support of SACA (Silverton Area Community Aid) matters deeply. I also serve Stayton, Oregon as well, and The Stayton Community Food Bank supports people in that community. Most of our community food pantries recieve food at a reduced cost from The Marion Polk Food Share. Every can of food, every dollar, and every act of generosity helps ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. But it is the same across the country - donate directly to your local food pantry!!

The best way to help our food pantries get the most bang for your buck is to donate cash. Food banks have systems that allow them to order food in bulk—things like canned beans, canned tuna, canned chicken, canned veggies, boxed potatoes, and other essentials—at a far lower cost than we can find at the grocery store. A $10 donation can often stretch further than $30 worth of items we buy retail.

That said, there are some important gaps these systems don’t always fill—and that’s where individual donations can make a big difference:

• Kid-friendly foods like canned pasta meals (Spaghettios, ravioli), mac and cheese, granola or protein bars, and snack foods for kiddos after school are always in high demand. These are often not available through bulk orders, but they make a real difference for families with children. One of my churches, Silverton UMC, puts together Snack Sacks weekly for SACA, and the demand his VERY high for these snack sacks! (Click here to donate to Silverton Snack Sack Program! Just click "give" and then designate at the drop down menu "Snack Sacks.")

• Spices and basic cooking tools—things like cooking spoons, spatulas, pans, and can openers—are often overlooked but deeply appreciated. Many people receiving food assistance are starting from scratch in new housing or don’t have a stocked kitchen.

• Microwavable and shelf-stable foods are essential for those without access to a working kitchen or reliable refrigeration. Items like microwave meals, shelf-stable milk, and other no-cook options are in short supply and high demand.

• Perishables, like produce, meat, and dairy, are welcome if your local food bank is equipped with refrigerators or freezers. Before bringing these in, check your local pantry’s guidelines and storage capacity.

• Hygiene products—toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, and menstrual products—are always needed and are often not covered by SNAP benefits even when they are available.

With grocery prices continuing to rise, I know it’s a financial sacrifice to give right now. Many of us are feeling the pinch. But if we have even a little wiggle room, this is a moment to lean into our calling as people of faith.

In Christian tradition, caring for our neighbors isn’t just a nice extra—it’s our first and most essential task. To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and lift up the downtrodden is not charity; it’s discipleship. It’s how we embody God’s love in the world. Until these benefits are restored, let us be the ones who make sure no one in our community goes hungry.

And let’s remember: we are all far closer to needing help than we are to being the billionaires making these terrible policy decisions. The difference between stability and struggle can be just one paycheck, one illness, one emergency away.

So let’s stand together—in generosity, in compassion, and in the deep conviction that when the safety net fails, the people of God step up.

Let’s continue to be the hands and heart of Christ—sharing what we have so that all may have enough.