The government shutdown that lasted 43 days is over, but in southern Illinois, those who rely on government benefits are still facing uncertainty as they look toward the future.

On Oct. 1, the government was shut down after Congress could not agree on the spending budget. Despite having a Republican-controlled House, the GOP needed some of the Democrats to vote with them in order to pass the spending bill that was at the center of this shutdown. 

The Democratic Party tried to advocate for an extension of the bill that would include the stability of tax credits that would make health insurance more affordable for the millions of Americans that rely on it. These tax credits were part of the Affordable Care Act, and are set to expire at the end of the year without any intervention. 

After 43 days, six members of the Democratic Party changed positions and voted with the Republicans to end the shutdown over protecting tax credits for cheaper health insurance. Two Republicans voted against the bill. 

On Nov. 12, President Donald Trump signed the bill and the government shutdown officially ended.

From Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, this most recent shutdown has become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The previous record was held by a 35-day shutdown in 2018-2019, which occurred during Trump’s first term.

Even as the government shutdown ends, access to SNAP benefits remain erratic. 

“I do feel relieved it’s over,” Rayann Northam, a frequent visitor at Victory Dream Center, a faith-based food pantry in Carbondale, said. “However, I am cautious with moving forward in case something else bad happens.” 

Northam and her mother, Wyndy Michaels, both had to cancel their Thanksgiving plans this year because of the economic impact that the government shutdown had set upon them. 

“We did receive some SNAP benefits but we had to cancel Thanksgiving in order to eat for the rest of the month,” Northam said. “Same for my mother, with an extra mouth to feed, she decided turkeys were too expensive.”

Lisa Cherry, a pastor at the Victory Dream Center, said that SNAP benefits are coming in at different times for different people. Everything is unknown, Cherry said, from the attendance to what the supply is going to look like in the coming months. 

“This isn’t just, for us, a short term issue,” Cherry said. “It’s been a problem of about 25% more people coming since last year and then our supplies coming through the regular food pantry levels are lower. So, it necessitated us buying more food.”

Cherry said that they have had to buy record amounts, which is not something she said she believes they can sustain indefinitely.

“If you tried to get in and do the research about why this is happening, I’m not satisfied that I’ve found anybody that can answer that,” Cherry said.

Carbondale City Councilmember Clare Killman attributes this to a widespread failure of the systems in place to account for the basic needs of the people.

“This is an era of unpredictability,” Killman said. “The only way that citizens of societies become prosperous is by having reliable, stable and predictable institutions.” 

Without such systems, Killman said, there is a degradation on just how safe and successful people can feel.

There are ways that local governments can, and should assist, according to Killman. 

“We should divert food waste to local food banks from grocers,” she said.

Most food banks in the area have relied on this to some degree already, Killman said, but there isn’t an effective or legal way to make grocers comply with an order of that kind.

“We can strongly suggest that all grocery stores within Carbondale make a concerted effort to defer as much food that would otherwise be wasted to local food banks,” Killman said.

Cherry said that this attention toward food pantries is needed. 

“Any kind of economic hiccups or economic downturns that affect people who are already at risk, the food pantry system is the safety net,” Cherry said.

“If indeed, more people are talking about their health insurance being a problem or other forms of assistance going down, then we see that effect,” she added.

Killman said the way our society has worked — since long before the government shutdown — has led to a corporate investment away from social programs that could benefit most Americans.

“We are all much more alike than we are un-alike,” Killman said. “Most people are not corporations. They don’t own a major stake in corporations. Most people are closer to being homeless or hard-pressed than they realize.”

Despite hardships put onto food pantries and the people they assist, Victory Dream Center and many other food pantries still encourage those who need assistance to come and visit.

“We are here for you and we recognize there’s many different reasons why someone can find themselves in a tough spot,” Cherry said.

Despite the uncertainty faced by food pantries, Cherry said that people are always encouraged to come and get what they need.

“I’ve seen so many express a desire to care for our neighbors,” Cherry said, “So, we appreciate working together with our community.”

Staff Reporter Orion Wolf can be reached at [email protected] or orionwolf6 on Instagram

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