With recent freezes to SNAP benefits, federal judges have been stepping up to help people receive the funding they desperately need to feed their families. Just this past week, a Rhode Island judge ruled SNAP pauses actually violate the law. Other states have followed suit and funding is being released for some Americans, but not all. South Carolina is now taking action in a different way to bring meals to family’s tables during these difficult times.
It’s been about a week since South Carolina started a fundraising campaign to provide more food to food banks. Through a state disaster relief fund, the state raised $233,000 to fund food banks. While it remains uncertain when benefits will continue throughout the shutdown, it does bolster food banks. With the lack of SNAP benefits, food banks are being particularly hammered by hungry Americans, directly caused by President Trump’s reluctance to release federal funding to SNAP unless “Radical Left Democrats open up government.”
“There’s this incredible outpouring of generosity,” said President and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation Georgia Mjartan. Several people were willing to donate up to $10,000. It’s by no means small potatoes, but even a quarter million in donations is a fraction of what the state needs. According to South Carolina’s Department of Social Services, just in October 2025, South Carolina needed $105 million for SNAP.
Organizations have been submitting applications through the state of South Carolina for funding help. This would help these organizations provide much-needed food to their communities. Some applicants wanted to take things a step further. One organization, for instance, wanted funding to assist disabled, low-income people unable to physically leave or stand in line. Another was willing to gather food for children that require a certain diet. It’s pretty awesome seeing a community put their heads together, even if the help doesn’t reach everyone.
The article made its way to the r/southcarolina Reddit, where commenters spoke up about the reality of what’s happening to many Americans. One person asked about President Trump, “Does he take it seriously that millions of people, of ALL ages and in ALL kinds of health conditions are, at this moment, not able to go shop for food: So they can feed themselves? Feed their children? Feed their newborn babies? I very much doubt that!”
Another person pointed out, “Trump specifically said he was going to target programs Democrats care about. He’s also shut down all negotiations from the beginning. Courts told him to use the contingency funds. Trump threw a tantrum and said no. White House had to walk it back. They are considering a counter suit to AVOID FEEDING PEOPLE,” they argued, referencing SNAP’s contingency reserves available to use during a government shutdown, for example.
This has been an ongoing trend across America, wherein local businesses start a community-wide effort to feed others. A coffee shop in Oregon, for example, was handing out free food to SNAP recipients. The coffee shop was incredibly successful, too; it just takes a lot of effort and mobility, but it can be done!
