CHAMPAIGN — The cost of groceries for Taishana Brown’s household of seven is equal to her rent.
Normally, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program takes that burden off her plate. But this week, the money hasn’t come.
“It’s just been a roller coaster, just not knowing when [it will come], not having that safety net,” Brown said.
Two federal judges have ordered the Trump administration to use SNAP emergency funds to keep sending out the food aid while Republicans and Democrats are in a stalemate over funding the government.
Trump and his administration have made conflicting statements about whether they will comply with the court orders. If the benefits do arrive, they may be late or partial. The left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has calculated that some families may get none at all.
“Politics is something else. To leverage people eating for political gain is crazy,” Brown said.
Both Brown and her husband work. She does deliveries through Amazon Flex. Her husband has been going to school to get a better job and is doing training now with UPS.
Brown’s older sons play sports and have big appetites, so she has to pull in all her resources, from schools to food pantries, to fill the gap left by SNAP.
On Wednesday, Brown was picking up her two youngest kids from one of the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission’s Head Start early childhood education centers. At the same time, a staff member handed her a box of food from the Head Start food pantry.
Champaign Head Start funded until March
While some Head Start early childhood centers across the country may have to close during the government shutdown, the program’s locations in central Illinois are safe – for now.
Almost 800 pregnant mothers and kids under five in Champaign, Vermilion, Ford and Iroquois counties rely on Head Start services through the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission for free education and childcare.
The majority of the funding for the CCRPC’s Head Start program comes from the federal government. While Head Start centers in some states have run out of that funding, the Champaign centers have a different deadline.
“We are doing fine. It could just change, depending on how long the shutdown continues. If it continues through February, then there would be a concern,” said CCRPC Early Childhood Division Director Brandi Granse.
The shutdown could also slow down the process for getting future funding. Granse is submitting the application to renew funding this month and will need federal workers to review and award the money.
Head Start food pantries clearing fast
Right now, Granse is most worried about the families enrolled in Head Start being able to eat. The education program enrolls families below federal poverty guidelines first and then opens seats to the families with the next highest need.
Granse is concerned that as November turns colder, enrolled families will have to choose between heat and food.
“We had more families coming to our West Champaign location asking for more food,” Granse said. “Our shelves are clearing as fast as we can put the food out, as well as the other donations, they’re going very quickly.”
She said the pandemic prompted Head Start centers to start local food pantries. All are currently accepting donations.
Even though Brown needs the food assistance right now, she has brought clothing donations to the center. Knowing other families were in her shoes, she found clothes that were too small for her kids to bring in. Next, she plans to go through her hygiene supplies.
“Whatever I can do to help another family, if I’m not utilizing it, or maybe I have too much. I’m willing to sacrifice right now,” she said. “That’s how you get your blessings. You give to get.”