Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Restaurants and organizations in Jonesboro are working on making sure families are fed as a pause in federal food aid has been approaching.

Around 42 million low- and no-income Americans were set to receive no Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting Nov. 1 as the government shutdown continues.

On Friday, two federal judges ruled that the Trump administration must allocate SNAP funding despite the shutdown. However, delay in payouts will still likely leave millions of people short on their grocery bills, the Associated Press reported. 

Of those 42 million, over 200,000 Arkansans are set to lose their benefits without the judge-ordered mandate, according to the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on Friday that she would be directing $500,000 to six food banks in the state, including the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas in Jonesboro.

Jennifer Hannah, chief program officer for the food bank, said 72,000 households in the 12 counties the food bank serves receive SNAP benefits. She explained that so far in 2025, the food bank has served 21,294 households. 6,071 of those also receive SNAP benefits.

“We are looking at an unprecedented situation,” she said. “We’ve already seen a sharp increase in requests for assistance. I anticipate this will be even more pronounced in November if the shutdown continues.”

With November already being a high-demand month due to Thanksgiving, the news of SNAP benefits running out could cause a bigger strain on the food bank, according to Hannah. She said it has experienced a large decrease of more than half a million pounds in food received from the United States Department of Agriculture over the last several months.

“This, coupled with increased demand due to inflation, lost wages due to the shutdown, and potential disruptions to SNAP benefits, means we will not have enough food to meet the needs of everyone,” she said.

The disruption in SNAP benefits is resulting in restaurants helping out in whatever ways they can, ensuring families do not go hungry.

The Parsonage posted on Facebook Oct. 26 that it would be offering free soup to those who rely on SNAP.

Before Tuesday, Chef John Myers said the restaurant received over 200 requests, with it getting between 55 to 60 requests each day since. Staff have even resorted to making deliveries due to the high demand.

“There were so many people, especially people that are in elder care that can’t get out, and our delivery driver’s taking [a delivery] to a retired couple that are the executors of five grandkids,” Myers said.

Myers said a bowl of soup during this time means a lot to people suffering, as not having that food can be a scary situation for many people, especially children.

“This isn’t just broth; this is a full meal,” Myers said. “It’s a filler, and then we’re throwing bread in on top of that, so this is security and comfort.”

La Bocca is another restaurant helping out during this time. It posted on Facebook Oct. 27 that from Monday to Thursday, children can eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Manager Lu Rama said when the restaurant first saw the news about the potential pause in benefits, it felt a lot of people were going to be in trouble, especially those with children.

“We are a family-owned business to begin with. I got three kids, little ones that understand that if a kid doesn’t have food on the table, they cannot go to school or study, or the first thing is an empty stomach, then you’re not able to do anything without getting the energy first,” Rama said.

The Facebook post said that the meal would be a “dine-in only thing,” as Rama explained that it helps bring people closer together at this time.

“You get to meet the people. You get to see them and the face expressions when you welcome them, they sit down and you bring them the food. It’s more like an interaction between you and the customer,” Rama said.

Both restaurants said with the uncertainty of the current situation, the community needs to come together more than ever.

“This is just hard luck, and we need to take up. We need to step up and do what’s responsible as citizens,” Myers said.

“Whatever we can do to help out, the least we can do is, especially with the families and kids, at least give a lending hand,” Rama said.

The Parsonage is accepting donations of various food items to be used for its soups. Myers said residents can bring their donations directly to the restaurant. Any unused items will be donated to the Food Bank of NEA.

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