TULSA, Okla. – With federal food assistance programs on pause due to the ongoing government shutdown,Tulsa Area United Way has launched an emergency food drive to support neighbors facing hunger in Eastern Oklahoma.
The drive aims to fill the growing gap left by the suspension of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. Nonprofits and food pantries say they’re already seeing increased demand as the shutdown pushes more families to the brink.
“In these tough times, it’s critical for organizations to act, and United Way is made for this moment,” said Alison Anthony, president and CEO of Tulsa Area United Way. “That’s why, in response to the ongoing crisis, Tulsa Area United Way is proud to host a large-scale emergency food drive mobilizing the community and benefiting our nonprofit partners, powered by the generosity of Cherokee Nation.”
Why the food drive is happening
The loss of SNAP benefits has created a ripple effect in Oklahoma, where 1 in 6 residents relied on the program last year, according to TAUW…