Food Banks In Philadelphia Preparing For "Onslaught Of People" Who Won't Receive SNAP Payments

CBS Philadelphia

October 30, 2025

About one in eight Americans receives federal food aid, and in Philadelphia, that number is more like one in three. Now, due to the government shutdown, officials say those payments for food won't be there come Nov. 1. CBS News Philadelphia sought to understand the impact this will have on Philadelphia families and food banks.

When we met Jasmine Clowden, she was pushing her 2-month-old daughter in a stroller and holding her 3-year-old son's hand as they walked through a University City park. She was laughing and singing songs with her son, but behind the smiles, she says it's been one of the toughest periods of her life. She's a single mom of five staying in a transitional house while her 17-month-old daughter receives specialized care at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

"It's a rare genetic mutation of the ACTG2 gene, so she has trouble digesting food," said Clowden, who's been visiting her daughter every day at CHOP for the past year. She doesn't have a car, so Clowden says she uses public transportation or walks 30 minutes one-way to get there.

Jasmine Clowden's SNAP benefits were recently stolen from her account. She's facing challenges as November's SNAP payments are not expected to go out due to the government shutdown/CBS News Philadelphia

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