Toledo church leader calls on churches to fill the gap as SNAP benefits pause amid shutdown

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - In a moment when millions of Americans are set to lose SNAP benefits because of the government shutdown, local church leaders say now is the time for them to step up.

Pastor Talmadge J. Thomas of City of Zion, the Mt. Zion Church, is calling on fellow churches to stand in the gap during the government shutdown threatening SNAP benefits.

“Beyond Sunday, we do a lot of serving,” Thomas said.

Located in the heart of Toledo for more than 100 years, City of Zion, the Mt. Zion Church has provided free meals to the community twice a week for decades.

“The scripture teaches us, when I was hungry did you feed me, when I was naked did you clothe me,” Thomas said.

With the government shutdown and people poised to lose benefits, the church is expanding its efforts.

“We’re positioning not just for the holidays but to be able to supplement and to make sure nobody goes hungry,” he said.

While work is being done on the church’s kitchen, they are still collecting items and feeding the community.

Thomas says now is the time for churches everywhere to answer the call.

“Hunger is not Democrat, Republican, or Independent hunger doesn’t know color, it doesn’t know creed, it doesn’t know a lot of those religious beliefs, hunger knows stomachs,” he said.

In Ohio, nearly 1.5 million people are set to go without November SNAP assistance, including 71,000 people living in Lucas County.

“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,” Thomas said. “I want to remind my pastor friends this is what we’re called to do.”

With food banks and pantries also in great need, Thomas expects a domino effect, pushing more people to search for assistance.

“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.

Monetary or food donations can be made to the church during the shutdown to support those in need.

Click here to visit the church’s website.

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