According to Feeding Tampa Bay, roughly 500,000 people across the 10-county region they serve have been affected by cuts to SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown.
Officials gathered at their warehouse in Tampa to discuss the government shutdown.
CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay, Thomas Mantz, said that for every meal Feeding Tampa Bay provides, SNAP provides nine.
“When something like this happens, it puts extraordinary pressure on our neighbors, it puts extraordinary pressure on our community, and organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay.” Mantz said.
The organization has expanded operations to help those affected by food stamp cuts and furloughed government employees.
Democratic Congress member Kathy Castor said she had never seen a shutdown like this in her time in Washington – and blamed Republicans.
“And it is so unnecessary and maddening – if they would come to the table, there are pathways forward,” Castor said.
SNAP GAP IN TAMPA BAY
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This article appears in Nov. 6 – 12, 2025.