A vegetable stand

Michael Cannon / Flickr

Emergency SNAP food benefits put in place during the pandemic are ending today, leaving thousands of locals potentially looking for more assistance.

An emergency increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that were put in place by the federal government at the start of the pandemic in March 2020 is officially ending after three years.

That means benefits will return to the amount that was being provided prior to March 2020. For many households, that could mean a decrease of $95. That’s roughly 23 meals, per the Capital Area Food Bank.

Those that receive both SNAP and Social Security benefits may have already seen a decrease due to the Social Security benefits cost of living increase that happened at the beginning of the year.

Nearly 146,000 D.C. residents received at least some assistance from SNAP last year — approximately 22% of the city’s population. In Virginia, about 795,000 residents received assistance from the program, and 773,000 in Maryland.

In total, that means close to two million D.C, Virginia, and Maryland residents are impacted by the ending of the emergency increase of SNAP benefits. With inflation continuing to impact people nationwide, it could mean even more people will be in need of food assistance.

A number of local nonprofits are stepping up to provide help to those who might be in need:

  • So Others Might Eat (SOME) has a food warehouse for non-perishable items at 60 O Street Northwest. It’s open to District residents on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The only thing required is a D.C. identification.
  • Bread for the City has a daily grocery pickup for D.C. residents at both its Northwest and Southwest centers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
  • Martha’s Table provides an assortment of markets and hot meals throughout the week at its two locations, one at 2375 Elvans Rd. in Southeast and the other at 1474 Columbia Rd. in Northwest.
  • The Capital Area Food Bank covers the entire region and is recommending those impacted by the loss of emergency benefits to call its “Hunger Lifeline.” The organization also has a map on its website that lists partners that might be providing services as well.
  • The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) does food distribution to supplement weekly groceries at 2708 South Nelson Street for Arlington residents Monday through Saturday at various times.
  • The Prince George’s County Food Equity Council has a list of community food programs that is updated every week with locations, times, and other details.
Filed Under: capital area food bank, general assignment, groceries, SNAP,