A historic government shutdown is taking a toll on Americans in a myriad of ways. Perhaps among the cruelest is the federal government’s refusal to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP, which more than 42 million Americans…
Methodists jump to action with food ministries
Even as the Trump administration announced it would restore federal food benefits at half their usual levels, United Methodists across the United States rallied to feed hungry people while the U.S. government shutdown continues. Two federal judges ordered the restoration…
Ministries prepare to serve families losing SNAP benefits
Community ministries and Texas Baptist churches with food pantries prepared for a sharp rise in needs after Nov. 1, when 3.5 million Texans—including 1.7 million children—expect to lose food assistance benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Another lawsuit seeks to continue food stamp benefits
A coalition of faith-based nonprofits, small businesses and local governments filed suit Oct. 30 to challenge President Donald Trump’s refusal to continue food stamp funding during the government shutdown. The action filed in the U.S. District Court for the District…
Half of states sue Trump to keep food stamp funding going
Half of all U.S. states and the District of Columbia are suing to force the Trump administration to continue food stamp funding currently scheduled to end Nov. 1 due to the government shutdown. The administration blamed its decision to suspend…
House Republicans will pray to solve the problem they created
The House Freedom Caucus has announced a prayer meeting to seek God’s help solving a problem they created themselves. How ironic. Today’s prayer meeting was called, in part, to ask for divine intervention on the government shutdown, now in its…
Hold your breath for health care
I’m sitting in a quiet waiting room, the kind that hums with fluorescent lights and faint disinfectant. No one else is here, but the TV is blasting an old episode of Chopped on The Food Network. The chefs are racing…
Religion Notes: Baptist church empties disaster fund to help furloughed workers
-Baylor lands major Lilly grant for music
-Housing for caravan families
Trump’s shutdown: a malicious spectacle of moral, political and humanitarian failure
The fate and futures of our neighbors, the security of our nation and the legitimacy of our claim to be a force for morality in the world has been taken hostage by an autocratic president with a lifelong penchant for immorality and inhumanity.