NEWS. BREAKING AT FOUR A FEDERAL JUDGE SAYS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MUST COVER SOME FOOD ASSISTANCE BENEFITS DURING THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. FUNDING FOR SNAP BENEFITS WAS SET TO RUN OUT TOMORROW, LEAVING OVER 42 MILLION AMERICANS WITHOUT A STABLE WAY TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE. BUT IN JUST THE LAST COUPLE OF HOURS, TWO JUDGES RULED THE WHITE HOUSE MUST TAP INTO BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN EMERGENCY FUNDS. RIGHT NOW, WE’RE WAITING TO HEAR PRESIDENT TRUMP’S RESPONSE TO THAT RULING, AND THERE WILL BE NO END TO THE SHUTDOWN TODAY. THE HOUSE IS NOT IN SESSION. PRESIDENT TRUMP FLEW BACK TO MAR-A-LAGO EARLIER TODAY, AND AS THE POLITICS PLAY OUT IN WASHINGTON, THE SHUTDOWN CONTINUES TO HAVE AN IMPACT HERE AT HOME. WE’VE GOT TEAM COVERAGE THIS AFTERNOON. LUANA MUNOZ IS AT ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, WHERE THE STAFFING SHORTAGES TRIGGERED DELAYS LATE LAST NIGHT. BUT FIRST, WESH TWO INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER GREG FOX IS LIVE AT UNITED AGAINST POVERTY IN ORLANDO. GREG, THERE’S BEEN QUITE A RUN ON FOOD THERE. YEAH, THERE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY VERY BUSY TODAY. SEVERAL HUNDRED MORE PEOPLE TODAY THAN THERE NORMALLY IS. WHY NOT? YOU’VE GOT THIS BIG WAREHOUSE FEEL. YOU’VE GOT PEPPERIDGE FARMS AND OTHER BIG NAME BRANDS RIGHT HERE. AND OF COURSE, YOU GOT PEOPLE FILLING UP THEIR CARTS TODAY NOT KNOWING IF THOSE SNAP BENEFITS WOULD CONTINUE BEYOND MIDNIGHT. IT’S VERY DISHEARTENING BECAUSE I JUST CAME OUT OF HOMELESSNESS. ALICIA BIRD IS NOW THRIVING WITH HER TWO KIDS THANKS TO UNITED AGAINST POVERTY AND ITS WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM. SHE’S ALSO ONE OF THE SNAP RECIPIENTS WHO DEPEND ON THE DISCOUNTED PRICES IN THIS GROCERY STORE, WHERE MORE THAN 80% OF SHOPPERS MEET THE INCOME GUIDELINES FOR GOVERNMENT BENEFITS. MANY TELL US IT’S BEEN STRESSFUL NOT KNOWING DAY TO DAY IF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE. IT’S GETTING PRETTY SCARY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PICK AND CHOOSE BETWEEN DO I EAT TODAY? DO I EAT TOMORROW? AND GIVING MY KIDS A MEAL? IT’S ALSO PICKING AND CHOOSING BETWEEN BILLS. THIS IS SCARY. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANGELA VIA SAYS THE STORE NORMALLY HANDLES 400 PEOPLE A DAY. FRIDAY IT WAS UP TO 650 AND FEWER DAYS WITH DWINDLING SUPPLIES ARE UNPREDICTABLE. THE INVENTORY IS GOING TO GO QUICK AND THERE IS. THERE’S NOTHING I CAN. THERE’S NOTHING THAT WE HAVE IN OUR BUDGETS THAT HAS PREPARED US FOR THIS. WE TRY TO GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING. OVER AT EDGEWATER HIGH SCHOOL, PRINCIPAL ALEX JACKSON AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER STEPHANIE VANOS SHOWED US THE FOOD AND TOILETRIES PANTRY THAT THEY’RE STRUGGLING TO KEEP FILLED. I MEAN, IT’S BEEN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. YOU KNOW, HERE AT EDGEWATER, 51% OF OUR STUDENTS ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED. SO THAT’S, YOU KNOW, SLIGHTLY OVER HALF OF OUR POPULATION OF KIDS THAT WE SERVE ON A DAILY BASIS. EDGEWATER ALSO HAS THE EAGLES MARKET, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN A MODEL FOR OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS THAT NOT ONLY PROVIDES CLOTHING FOR STUDENTS, BUT ALSO DURING THEIR LUNCH BREAKS. THEY CAN COME IN HERE AND ASIDE FROM THE PANTRY, THEY CAN ALSO GET FOOD AND TAKE THAT WITH THEM. PREDICTING MANY STUDENTS WOULD BE RUSHING OUT THE DOOR AT AFTERNOON BELL. THIS AND OTHER SCHOOLS HAD PREPACKAGED FOOD BAGS GOOD FOR TWO DAYS BEFORE ANOTHER WEEK OF UNCERTAINTY. I SAW ON THE CALENDAR. AND OF COURSE, ORGANIZATIONS LIKE UNITED AGAINST POVERTY, ALL OF THE SCHOOLS NOT ONLY IN ORANGE COUNTY, BUT ACROSS CENTRAL FLORIDA. THEY’RE ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR THEIR PANTRIES. YOU CAN REACH OUT TO THEM DIRECTLY. COMMUNITY PARTNERS CAN REACH OUT TO NONPROFITS LIKE THIS ONE, SO THAT THEY CAN HELP SHARE THE COST, NOT JUST TO DONATE FOOD, BUT ALSO TO DONATE CASH TO BUY MORE.
2.9M people in Florida rely on SNAP benefits | What to know as the shutdown persists
Updated: 6:19 AM EST Nov 3, 2025
Almost 3 million Floridians were set to go without their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning Nov. 1. With the federal government still shutdown after over a month, 42 million Americans have been in fear that they would have to go without food assistance, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamps Program, helps provide food assistance to low-income families.However, two federal judges ruled on Friday that the Trump administration must cover some food assistance benefits during the shutdown. >> The video above is previous coverage.But, as long as the U.S. Government shutdown continues, the future remains unknown.The map above from The Hearst Television Get the Facts Data Team shows the percentage of households in each county that received SNAP benefits in 2023.In an effort to fill the gap, officials across the state are working to gain access to emergency funds to help feed those who rely on SNAP benefits. Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings said he would be writing a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking him to look within the state’s budget to see if there are discretionary dollars that can be brought forward to assist during the crisis.In the meantime, those needing additional assistance during the government shutdown can find a list of food banks, pantries and other resources available in Central Florida here.> Find a food bank near youThe Hearst Television Get the Facts Data Team looked at the number of people who rely on SNAP, state by state, as well.About one in eight Americans receives SNAP benefits in the United States, plus Washington, D.C., as of May, the latest data available, totaling almost 42 million people across more than 22 million households. Need additional assistance during the government shutdown? Dial 211 from any phone for free, confidential assistance 24/7. Trained specialists can connect you to nearby food pantries, housing support, utility assistance, and more.Website: 211.orgHeart of Florida United WayOrange County Government – Crisis Assistance Program for emergency rent, mortgage, and utility payment help.Need Pet Food or Supplies? Visit Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando – Pet Food Pantry.
Almost 3 million Floridians were set to go without their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning Nov. 1.
With the federal government still shutdown after over a month, 42 million Americans have been in fear that they would have to go without food assistance, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamps Program, helps provide food assistance to low-income families.
However, two federal judges ruled on Friday that the Trump administration must cover some food assistance benefits during the shutdown.
>> The video above is previous coverage.
But, as long as the U.S. Government shutdown continues, the future remains unknown.
The map above from The Hearst Television Get the Facts Data Team shows the percentage of households in each county that received SNAP benefits in 2023.
In an effort to fill the gap, officials across the state are working to gain access to emergency funds to help feed those who rely on SNAP benefits.
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings said he would be writing a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking him to look within the state’s budget to see if there are discretionary dollars that can be brought forward to assist during the crisis.
In the meantime, those needing additional assistance during the government shutdown can find a list of food banks, pantries and other resources available in Central Florida here.
The Hearst Television Get the Facts Data Team looked at the number of people who rely on SNAP, state by state, as well.
About one in eight Americans receives SNAP benefits in the United States, plus Washington, D.C., as of May, the latest data available, totaling almost 42 million people across more than 22 million households.
Need additional assistance during the government shutdown? Dial 211 from any phone for free, confidential assistance 24/7. Trained specialists can connect you to nearby food pantries, housing support, utility assistance, and more.
Website: 211.org
Orange County Government – Crisis Assistance Program for emergency rent, mortgage, and utility payment help.
Need Pet Food or Supplies? Visit Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando – Pet Food Pantry.
Leave a Reply