As SNAP benefits cut looms, Tampa Bay organizations prepare

• Nearly 13% of Floridians — roughly 3 million people — rely on the program's benefits, per an Axios analysis of recent federal data.

The latest: Florida Democrats on Tuesday urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency and tap into state funds to ease the impending crisis. The governor rejected the idea Wednesday.

• Florida also didn't join a lawsuit against the Trump administration filed Tuesday by 25 Democrat-led states seeking to force the federal government to resume SNAP payments.

Zoom in: Feeding Tampa Bay has already been helping federal workers going without pay due to the shutdown, public affairs director Shannon Hannon-Oliviero told Axios.

• This week, the nonprofit has been preparing to stretch its resources further to help the nearly 250,000 households that will be impacted by the SNAP suspension across Feeding Tampa Bay's 10-county service area.
• The organization will roll out additional food distributions for SNAP beneficiaries on Monday. It also published a page on its website dedicated to resources for those impacted by the shutdown.

What they're saying: "We view the government shutdown much like a disaster," Hannon-Oliviero said.

• "Obviously, they're very different circumstances, but the reality is folks are being put in crisis situations due to unforeseen circumstances."

Beginning Tuesday, St. Pete Free Clinic will extend the hours of its Fresh Pantry at 863 Third Ave. North, the organization announced, citing "an increasing need."

• The nonprofit is also planning two mobile food distribution events on Nov. 8 and 22. The times and locations will be finalized in the coming days.
• The organization last week saw about 500 more people than the week prior, CEO Jennifer Yeagley told Axios, and she expects that need to grow.

• "As we see this actually play out, we'll determine if there are other things we can do," she added.

Along with established food banks, grassroots efforts have also popped up to help community members impacted by the suspension.

• St. Petersburg resident Lee Mathis and a few friends formed a group over the last week called SnapBack Tampa Bay, which is planning meals and community gatherings for those experiencing food insecurity.
• "Once we realized that the loss of SNAP benefits was going to become a reality for a lot of hardworking local people, a small group of us decided to do something about it," Mathis said.

What's next: SnapBack Tampa Bay's first event — a free community block party and potluck — is slated for Nov. 15 at Speakeasy Central Kava Bar.

Do you know of other organizations preparing to support SNAP recipients? Please let us know.

Avery Lotz contributed to this report.