My way of understanding the world is by understanding systems. In the case of we-think-the-shutdown-will-continue-and-thus-SNAP-benefits-will-not-be-available-November-1, I needed to understand the hunger-related (food insecurity?) food system on the Northern Neck.
Naturally, there is a food bank (Healthy Harvest Food Bank). There are food pantries. But what else is there? Are any soup kitchens located on the NNK? What about little free pantries not associated proximately or otherwise with a traditional food pantry? What about communal feeding programs, whether they be free or pay-what-you-can?
What you see below is the first public iteration of the hunger-related NNK food system map. It’s not perfect. And while it doesn’t have to be perfect to be useful, we (I) can do better. For example, neither The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) nor the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) are included. Should they be? If not shown on this page, should they be mentioned on the page featuring summaries of the programs found on the page below?
Other important notes:
- UPDATE 10/26, 3:30p: PDF version of map
- This document will not be including a list of food resources since this is a map of the system. The categories of services/supports/programs. But, if you are aware of places to get food, such as little free pantries or community dinners, please email me. That information will be put in a file to be made public ASAP.
- The audience for this doc is policy people, donors, foundations and not the general public.
- Additional info to be included in the doc: Summaries of each of the categories, including type of organization (state/federal gov, nonprofit), and ways to find food resources (necessarily broad).
- Should the topic be hunger-related or food insecure? The latter is a term used by those in the policy world. And since this is a policy-related doc. . .
Please email me with comments, suggestions, etc. I’d like to finish Tuesday, October 28 and distribute Wednesday, October 29.
The SNAP backdrop
The notice from the feds that SNAP benefits will not be available to more than 42 million people across the country has resulted in angst, anger, and dread. People who rely on SNAP and other federally-funded programs are frightened and worried about where their food will come from starting November 1. Keep in mind that in reality, SNAP benefits often run out in the third week of the month. When that happens, individuals and families must go hungry or get food from a food pantry or some other program.
While people who rely on SNAP try to determine where they will get food, people who don’t are not sure how to help.
Making matters worse, the state of Virginia is giving mixed messages. On October 22, the Virginia Department of Social Services published (permanent screenshot) wrote that the state “cannot supplement or replace these benefits during the lapse in Congressional appropriations.” Which is true. But the next day, the governor issued EO-54 Declaration of a State of Emergency to Protect Hungry Virginians from Democrats Blocking Federal Funding for the Most Needy October 23, 2025 (PDF) so as “to provide emergency hunger relief. . .”
Stated DSS on October 22:
October 22, 2025: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will lapse starting November 1, 2025 if the federal government shutdown is not resolved by October 28, 2025. The Virginia Department of Social Services has disbursed October SNAP benefits as scheduled and is still enrolling individuals in this and other assistance programs.
SNAP is entirely federally-funded and the Commonwealth of Virginia cannot supplement or replace these benefits during the lapse in Congressional appropriations.
We recognize the serious impact this disruption will have on Virginians who rely on this program. This incredibly challenging development could most rapidly be resolved by the U.S. Senate voting for the continuing resolution that has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives.
We encourage Virginians who are concerned by the interruption of this vital program to contact Virginia's Senators Mark Warner at (202) 224-2023 and Tim Kaine at (202) 224-4024.
We will continue to share updates as information becomes available and remain committed to supporting Virginians.
Per the EO, the governor has directed
1. The Secretary of Health & Human Resources to coordinate with the Secretary of Finance, the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS), and the Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) to immediately take all necessary actions to provide emergency hunger relief to those in need by replacing SNAP benefit disbursements to eligible Virginians until the federal lapse in appropriations ends and Congressional Democrats put the needs of Virginians ahead of political interests. This relief shall be disbursed according to the same guidelines as SNAP benefits, including prohibition on benefit disbursement to illegal immigrants.
2. Activation of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center and the Virginia Emergency Support Team, as warranted by the State Coordinator of Emergency Management, to coordinate with the Secretaries of Health & Human Resources and Finance as well as DSS and DPB or other stakeholders as necessary to coordinate the support of emergency hunger relief.