Toledo church leader requesting churches step in & assist local families without SNAP benefits during government shutdown

In the midst of the federal shutdown, when support from the SNAP is set to lapse for millions of Americans, a Toledo church leader is urging congregations to step in and fill the void. City of Zion Mt. Zion Church’s pastor, Talmadge J. Thomas, is calling on fellow churches to be present now, as the interruption to benefits looms. “Beyond Sunday, we do a lot of serving”, Thomas explained.

Located in the heart of Toledo for more than a century, City of Zion Mt. Zion has been offering no-cost meals to the local community twice a week for decades. Thomas referenced scripture: “When I was hungry, did you feed me? When I was naked, did you clothe me?” He said these passages underscore the responsibility to respond. With the federal shutdown threatening to cut off benefits, Thomas says his church is expanding its outreach: “We’re positioning not just for the holidays but to be able to supplement and to make sure nobody goes hungry.” Although the church’s kitchen is undergoing renovation, they are still collecting items and continuing to feed the community.Thomas emphasised that this moment is a call for every church to act. “Hunger is not Democrat, Republican or Independent — hunger doesn’t know colour, it doesn’t know creed, it doesn’t know a lot of those religious beliefs. Hunger knows stomachs”, he stated.

In Ohio, nearly 1.5 million people are expected to miss out on November SNAP assistance, including roughly 71,000 individuals in Lucas County. Thomas said, “The church has always been a gap-filler, whether it was food, whether it was clothing or what have you… And I believe that’s the best place for the church to be so that we can live up to our Christ-like mandate. I want to remind my pastor friends: this is what we’re called to do.”

With food banks and pantries already under strain, Thomas predicts a ripple effect as more people search for help. “It has an impact from the top down in so many ways, so it’s going to be important that we are able to fill the gap and to be boots on the ground, if I could say, and be ready,” he said.

During the shutdown, financial or food donations may be directed to the church to support those in need.