Halloween is here. For some, it is a well-loved and celebrated holiday, filled with innocent tricks or treats. But the unstable state of the country during the government shutdown is hard to ignore. If the shutdown persists past Halloween, approximately 1.4 million Ohioans will face sudden hunger as the food assistance program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), will be threatened with termination. In Cuyahoga County alone, approximately 190,000 people rely on the benefits of SNAP. We cannot sit back any longer. It’s time to offer some relief to our immediate community.

We are now a month into the government shutdown. Though government shutdowns are a common practice in politics, prolonged ones are concerning. In 2018, Donald Trump’s administration faced a 35-day shutdown, which is the longest in modern political history. The 2018 shutdown affected 800,000 federal employees, who provided necessary lines of service to the American public. If Trump beats his own record, it is likely that we will be facing larger statistics and greater consequences than before. Even so, the government’s office of management and budget warned many federal agencies to arrange for permanent lay-offs as a result of the shutdown. In the past, shutdowns have disturbed national park tourism and Smithsonian museum visitations in Washington, decreased air travel, pushed-back food-safety inspections and delayed immigration hearings. The shutdown directly affects the day-to-day operations of many residents too. People who are reliant on community support and assisted programs are experiencing the looming consequences. Approximately 30% of nonprofits report receiving direct federal funding grants across the U.S. This percentage is also representative of Ohio’s nonprofits.  Most food assistance programs are nonprofits, so it is likely the continual efforts of these programs will lean on its external community to uphold its demand, and that community can be us. 

The funding for SNAP, often referred to as food stamps, ceases on Nov. 1, which is the first time in history to face such a risk. The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will be struck by these effects as well, affecting 7 million people. Even the free and reduced-lunch programs at public schools are at risk of termination due to insufficient federal funding to school organizations. Senator Ben Ray Luján has been pushing the U.S. Senate to pass a bill that would continue funds to these programs. This bill, though, was blocked by the Senate floor on Wednesday. During the fiscal year 2025, over 42 million people benefited from SNAP every month. To put these numbers into perspective: 8.5 million people populate New York City. So, nearly 5 New York Cities would be representative of the amount of people that rely on SNAP. The growing fallout of the government shutdown cannot be ignored any longer. People strive in ignorance because they believe that it doesn’t affect them. Yet, it does. It affects our friends, peers, neighbors, families and communities. Not forming a decision or action is a choice too. To understand the gravity of a situation, yet not act on it is a far greater grievance than being the perpetrator. 

As college students, many of us are constantly surviving the waves of exams and balancing work, extracurricular activities and life. But, there are many opportunities that are easily accessible to help the community, ranging from long and short commitments. There are nearly a dozen food banks or shelters in the greater Cleveland area that accept food donations. Or, if you have the extra time, grab a few friends and apply for volunteer programs. Most shelters are happy to take on new volunteers with lending hands, ranging from food sorting, stocking and distribution. The organization of a food relief program or event can happen on campus too. Effort distinguishes a successful community. This Halloween, share some of your “treats” with the community.