WE COULD RUN OUT OF FOOD SIMPLE AS THAT. A POTENTIAL SHUTDOWN, FRUSTRATING TO THOSE WHO SERVE OTHERS, LIKE SHERRIE TUSSLER OF HUNGER TASK FORCE. ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THAT BY THE END OF THIS WEEKEND THIS WILL ALL BE RESOLVED? NO, I’M NOT. WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE RELY ON PROGRAMS LIKE FOODSHARE OR THE WOMEN INFANTS AND CHILDREN’S PROGRAM, SCHOOL MEALS. ALL OF THOSE ARE FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS AND THEY’RE ALL PLACED IN JEOPARDY WHEN THE GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN. HERE ARE THE FACTS. A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN WOULD IMMEDIATELY HALT FEDERAL FUNDING TO THE WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM, KNOWN AS WHIC. IT’S THEN UP TO EACH STATE TO DECIDE WHAT’S NEXT. WE HAVE BEEN REASSURED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE WICK PROGRAM FOR THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, KARI MALONE, THAT THOSE BENEFITS WILL CONTINUE AND THAT NEW APPLICANTS CAN STILL APPLY IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER. AFTER OCTOBER, SNAP BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO MEETS CERTAIN INCOME GUIDELINES COULD ALSO BE IMPACTED BEGINNING IN NOVEMBER. IF WE HAVEN’T RESOLVED THIS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, IT COULD BE A WHOLE NOTHER STORY WHERE FOODSHARE IS AT RISK. AIR TRAVEL IS ALSO AT RISK. MORE THAN 35,000 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS COULD BE FURLOUGHED, WORKING WITHOUT PAY. UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THE LACK OF SUPPORT, THE DISTRACTIONS AND THE STRESSES OF EFFICIENCIES MIGHT BE DEGRADED. SO THE CONNECTIONS, THE DELAYS, THE ON TIME ARRIVALS COULD SUFFER. BUT SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY FROM AIRPORTS TO FOOD BANKS, THE FEAR OF A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN INCREASING BY THE HOUR. THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE LENGTH. IF IT GOES MORE THAN A DAY OR TWO AND THE CHALLENGES GET EXPONENTIALLY HARDER IN
Get the Facts: How the government shutdown could impact you
Lawmakers have less than 2 days to reach a deal to avoid a government shutdown
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Updated: 8:10 PM CDT Sep 29, 2023
Millions of Americans who rely on federally funded programs will be impacted if lawmakers don't reach a deal."We could run out of food. It's as simple as that," said Sherrie Tussler, the CEO of Hunger Task Force.A potential shutdown is frustrating news for those who serve others, like Tussler."We know people rely on programs like FoodShare, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, school meals, all are federally funded, and they're all placed in jeopardy when the government shuts down," she said.A government shutdown would immediately halt federal funding to the Women, Infant and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program. It's then up to each state to decide what's next."We have been reassured by director of WIC program for the state of Wisconsin, Kari Malone, that those WIC programs will continue, and new applicants can still apply in the month of October," Tussler said.After October, SNAP benefits, available to anyone who meets certain income guidelines, could also be impacted."Beginning in November, if we haven't resolved this government shutdown, it could be a whole other story where FoodShare is at risk," Tussler said.Air travel could also be at risk. More than 35,000 air traffic controllers would be furloughed, working without pay."Unfortunately, with the lack of support, the distractions and stresses, efficiencies might be degraded. So, connections, delays, on-time arrivals could suffer, but safety is our priority," said Rich Santa, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.From airports to food banks, the fear of a government shutdown is real."The biggest concern is the length. If this goes more than a day or two, the challenges get exponentially harder," Santa said.
MILWAUKEE — Millions of Americans who rely on federally funded programs will be impacted if lawmakers don't reach a deal.
"We could run out of food. It's as simple as that," said Sherrie Tussler, the CEO of Hunger Task Force.
A potential shutdown is frustrating news for those who serve others, like Tussler.
"We know people rely on programs like FoodShare, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, school meals, all are federally funded, and they're all placed in jeopardy when the government shuts down," she said.
A government shutdown would immediately halt federal funding to the Women, Infant and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program. It's then up to each state to decide what's next.
"We have been reassured by director of WIC program for the state of Wisconsin, Kari Malone, that those WIC programs will continue, and new applicants can still apply in the month of October," Tussler said.
After October, SNAP benefits, available to anyone who meets certain income guidelines, could also be impacted.
"Beginning in November, if we haven't resolved this government shutdown, it could be a whole other story where FoodShare is at risk," Tussler said.
Air travel could also be at risk. More than 35,000 air traffic controllers would be furloughed, working without pay.
"Unfortunately, with the lack of support, the distractions and stresses, efficiencies might be degraded. So, connections, delays, on-time arrivals could suffer, but safety is our priority," said Rich Santa, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
From airports to food banks, the fear of a government shutdown is real.
"The biggest concern is the length. If this goes more than a day or two, the challenges get exponentially harder," Santa said.
