Oh SNAP, sh*t's about to get real

We’re on, what…day 33 of the government shutdown? And things are getting really dire out there. Over 42 million Americans are about to lose their SNAP benefits because of this mess. I saw a TikTok from a woman who said she’s already stopped eating dinner so her and her boyfriend have enough food for lunch the next day with their remaining benefits. She was sobbing, wondering what they’ll do when the assistance runs out. And here’s the part that really gets me…she works AND has a college degree. WTF..

Personally, I don’t care if you work or not. Food should be a basic human right. If you want to spend your SNAP benefits on a cake, go for it. Everyone deserves small comforts in life. The worst part? What we spend on food assistance is nothing compared to the billions handed out in corporate subsidies. So, who’s the real villain here? People just trying to feed their families, or massive corporations that don’t pay a livable wage and still take money from taxpayers?

In yoga, there’s a principle called Ahimsa, which means nonviolence or not causing harm to any living being through thought, word, or action. That philosophy doesn’t just belong on the mat. It’s a call to care for each other. It’s our responsibility to make sure our neighbors don’t go hungry, especially right before the holidays. Because let’s be honest, this shutdown doesn’t seem like it’s ending anytime soon.

I’ve personally set up a recurring donation to my local food bank and plan to keep it going for as long as it takes. There are too many people who haven’t had the same advantages, or who’ve simply fallen on hard times, and it’s impossible to rebuild your life when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from.

If you’re as angry and worried about this as I am, here are a few ways to help:

How You Can Help

1. Donate to a local food bank Visit Feeding America to find food banks in your area. Even a small monthly donation goes a long way toward keeping families fed.

2. Support mutual aid networks Mutual aid groups operate at the community level, getting resources directly into the hands of people who need them most. Check out Mutual Aid Hub to find one near you.

3. Give to national organizations

   • No Kid Hungry helps provide meals for children across the U.S.

   • World Central Kitchen supports food relief efforts during crises and shutdowns.

   • The Okra Project provides meals and support to Black trans people in need.

4. Speak up Call your representatives and demand they end the shutdown. Ask them to protect SNAP benefits and prioritize real families over corporate handouts. You can find your reps at House.gov or Senate.gov.

5. Share resources and raise awareness Post donation links on social media, talk to friends, and remind your community that hunger isn’t an individual failure. It’s a policy failure.

Let’s show up for each other. Let’s make sure our communities eat. Because no one deserves to go hungry EVER!.

Kristina