The federal government shutdown continues with no solution in sight as Congress and the White House remain at an impasse, and we are now preparing for it to stretch into November. Here in Southern Arizona, we know how to stay resilient through long, dry stretches. Our nonprofits are doing everything they can to keep families safe, fed, and connected while the shutdown drags on.
As Diane Yentel, President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, recently said, “Nonprofits are on the frontlines of serving communities, but a government shutdown makes it harder for them to fulfill their missions. The longer this shutdown lasts, the more people and communities are left without the critical services they depend on.”
As a result of the shutdown, the USDA announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be released starting November 1. Thousands of households across our region rely on SNAP to help put food on the table. Without this support, many will face a very real risk of hunger.
Southern Arizona has always taken care of its own. When times get tough, our community finds shade, shares water, and looks out for our neighbors. To help neighbors who may need assistance right now, here are local food resources offering immediate support:
- Casa Maria Soup Kitchen Tucson
- Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
- East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank
- Gap Ministries
- Greater Vail Community ReSources
- Interfaith Community Services
- Marana Food Bank & Community Resource Center
- Sahuarita Food Bank & Resource Center
- South Tucson Community Outreach
- University of Arizona Campus Pantry
- Yuma Community Food Bank
These groups continue to show the kind of strength the desert teaches, but the shutdown is stretching resources thin.
If you are able, please consider supporting one of the organizations above either directly or through your donor-advised fund at CFSA. Contact our team at philanthropy@cfsaz.org for assistance making a grant through your fund. Every contribution helps keep families nourished and hopeful through this difficult season.
Thank you for showing the heart and grit our Southern Arizona community is known for. Together we bloom through even the toughest seasons. We’ll continue to share updates and resources as more information becomes available. If you are with a Southern Arizona nonprofit that is providing emergency food assistance and want to be included in this list, please contact us at marketing@cfsaz.org. Thank you!