Waiting for SNAP? Here’s how delays are hitting GA — and what to do next.
As Georgia families wait for their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to return after the federal shutdown, the toll is already showing up in kitchens, grocery aisles and crowded food lines. Millions of families are still waiting to learn when their full November SNAP benefits will be restored.
A Department of Agriculture spokesperson said funds could be available “within 24 hours for most states,” but did not clarify when benefits will actually load onto cards, The Associated Press reported.
With no clear timeline, families are turning to food banks and pop-up pantries to get by.
Families like Danisha Banks’ have been leaning on community groups such as Clarkston Cares, a program run by Ellie Thaxton at the nonprofit Remerge. The organization helps neighbors access food, pay bills and get through sudden crises — support Banks says has been a lifeline.
The program “has been helping me when I’m in need of food and things like that,” she said. But watching her children struggle has been the hardest part.
At a Hosea Helps food distribution last week, the need was overwhelming as Thanksgiving approaches. Their next event is scheduled for Nov. 22.
“We served 100 families and I would say that 80% of them were on SNAP,” Hosea Helps CEO Elisabeth Omilami told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “They were telling us, ‘Thank God that we were able to get this food.’ It’s traumatizing the people who are on SNAP.”
One visitor, Nina Davis, voiced her frustration plainly: “I need to eat.”
And for many, the loss of SNAP reaches well beyond groceries because families who depend on food assistance often rely on other supports — such as Medicaid, child care assistance and programs that help with essentials like formula, diapers and medical care.
‘We stand in the gap.’
Organizations like the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Clarkston Cares and Hosea Helps are built for moments like this, but the scale feels different, Omilami said.
“We stand in the gap … between what they’re supposed to get and what it takes to keep them thriving,” she said. “But right now, the gap is larger than ever. Our funding is down, our inventory is down … we’re in a precarious place ourselves. But we’re still going to serve.”
The emotional toll is heavy for staff, too. At the most recent distribution, Hosea Helps had to turn away 25 cars — they simply ran out of food.
“They cry when the clients cry,” Omilami shared. “Some days I just can’t get out of the bed. I just have to lay there and pray. We do so much with so little.”
For Omilami, the work is deeply personal. Her parents, civil rights leaders Hosea and Juanita Williams, built the foundation she now carries forward. Asked how they might respond to the current crisis, she didn’t hesitate: “How dare you take food out of the mouths of children and senior citizens and trifle with them in this way.”
What to do next
Banks said she still hasn’t received any clear update about her own benefits. “No, not yet. I just keep going to the store to check my card,” she said.
If you’re in a similar position, here’s what you can do:
- Check your balance regularly. You can look up your SNAP amount through the ConnectEBT website or app, or by calling the customer service number listed on the back of your EBT card. You can also request a balance inquiry at local stores.
- Lock your EBT card between purchases. Georgia Department of Human Services officials urge recipients to continue to lock EBT cards between purchases to prevent unauthorized use. This function is available on the ConnectEBT app.
- Protect your information. State and federal agencies will never ask for your PIN or personal details by phone, text or social media.
- Contact your local DFCS. Call your local county social/human services agency for case status. A missing renewal/recertification or missing documents could cause additional delays.
- Find food today. The Atlanta Community Food Bank’s search tool at acfb.org/find-help lists nearby food pantries, mobile distributions and community partners. You can also call 2-1-1 to be connected with resources in your area or visit the Georgia government’s “Food Resources” website. For fresh produce and essential groceries, the King Center is hosting a community food distribution event on Nov. 15 from 12-2 p.m.
How to help
Even as federal systems come back online, the surge in need isn’t slowing. If you’re able to help, here’s how:
- Create community access points. In Canton and Woodstock, Bizarre Coffee transformed part of its storefront into a 24/7 community pantry. The idea was simple: people can drop off food, toiletries, snacks, diapers or recipe kits — and anyone can take what they need, no questions asked. “Someone you know is choosing between dinner for their family and basic essentials,” an Instagram post from the company reads.
- Give funds if you can. Olympic gold medalist-turned-pastry chef DeeDee Trotter recently launched Gifted Harvest, which offers $150 grocery gift cards to families whose SNAP benefits were paused. Cards are distributed through four metro Atlanta church partners across Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, Rockdale, Newton, Douglas and Paulding counties. Local nonprofits need support, too. Hosea Helps, Clarkston Cares, ACFB and neighborhood groups like Dames Doing Good and Blessing Bags of Warmth rely on donations to keep up with demand.
- Donate smart. Food banks ask donors to prioritize nutrient-dense, shelf-stable items that are easy to open or prepare. Check online or call ahead to see what they are actively accepting.
Big or small, the help matters. Churches, nonprofits and neighbors are feeling the ripple effects of the delays every day — and for now, they’re doing everything they can to keep Georgia families fed.
— AJC reporter Morayo Ogunbayo contributed to this story.
About the Author
Avery Newmark covers travel, wellness, events and trending news for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. With a dual background in film production and journalism, Avery came to the AJC after working as a video editor. She enjoys film photography and live music in her free time. Reach her at avery.newmark@ajc.com.
