by On November 1, millions of families will lose access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) because of the government shutdown. You can view here the estimates by state of how many might lose access.
Moments like this reveal what we already know – when systems fail, the Church shows up. Across CCDA, churches and organizations have long filled the gap for hunger in our communities: hosting food pantries, tending community gardens, running co-ops, and walking alongside neighbors with dignity and love. This is what Christian Community Development looks like in action.
Our Call Right Now
As we face this new wave of need, let’s respond with faith and creativity:
Show up locally.
Check in with your neighbors and nearby congregations. Partner to expand food ministries and ensure families have what they need.
Center justice, not just charity.
Remember that food access is about equity and community – not just distribution. As member Rhondell Miller shared about their transition from a pantry to co-op, “As Christians working in community development, we are called to move beyond traditional charity to invest in our neighborhoods based on what they want and need. We may be at different stages in this journey, but we can still inspire one another to boldness in loving our neighbor in the healthiest of ways.” (See additional resources below.)
Speak up.
Use your voice for policies that protect and provide for the most vulnerable.
Resources
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Food and Faith: Justice Rooted Food Ministry – Jodi Koeman, MSW
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Eradicating Food Apartheid: Community-Based Strategies for Food Justice – Rev. Andre Towner, Shondelyn Towner
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Pastoring Okra and Shaking Our As paragus on the Veggie Bus Radical Joy as the Path to Finding Kingdom Work
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Urban Agriculture: Using Creation Systems to Build Community
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Radical Imagination : Food Justice
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Rooted in Community: Food Cooperatives for Low-income Families
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Faith Communities for Just Food
Let’s Show Up Together
This isn’t new for us. CCDA practitioners have always met hunger with hope and love in action. May we answer the call in Matthew 25:35 to give food, drink, and welcome our neighbors affected by this funding cut.
We also encourage you to:
Take Action: Use the CCDA Civic Engagement Toolkit to call your representative and senators today. Urge them to protect SNAP benefits and strengthen food assistance for our neighbors.
Connect to Resources: If community members need assistance locating food, findhelp.org or foodfinder.us can be helpful tools for support. Build your own Blessing Box to share food and common supplies with others. Locate a local mutual aid cooperative near you to volunteer with or to find support.
Because when the systems pause, the Body of Christ doesn’t. We multiply what we have – and trust God to make it enough.
