During the government shutdown in October and November, Indiana’s most vulnerable citizens came very close to going hungry. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, commonly known as SNAP, were delayed by over a week and cut by 35% for more than half a million Hoosiers. Local food pantries stepped up, and local lawmakers tried to avert the crisis. We hear from Cindy Chavez, director of Pantry 279, who says 80% of her clients have jobs but don’t earn enough income to make ends meet. Those families are one SNAP payment away from not being able to eat. Bloomington’s State Representative Matt Pierce is frustrated that his party tried to get state lawmakers to use Indiana’s state surplus to bridge the gap, but their proposal was struck down.

Cindy Chavez, Pantry 279

Today’s feature story on the delay of SNAP benefits during the government shutdown was produced by Erica Weaver in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.