Many American residents are finding themselves in uncertain times with concern for losing federal assistance in the upcoming month. The Muslim community of Indiana are not immune to these struggles. Because of the ongoing government shutdown, people who rely on federal food assistance may not receive their benefits. SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program services around 42 million people each month. State leaders are urging people to turn to food banks and use what they have left in SNAP benefits to purchase pantry shelf stable items. With the rise of grocery prices soaring, many people are already reaching out to food banks in hopes of securing food items for themselves and family members. Interestingly, although SNAP benefits are expected to not be given in November, ICE officers will still receive their paychecks, and a two hundred-fifty-million-dollar ballroom is being built at the White House.
Did you know…
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves approximately 41 million people, making that 1 in 8 people, 1 in 6 people in some states and 1 in 4 children receive SNAP benefits.
The average recipient receives about $187.20 per month.
Nationally, the highest group of SNAP recipients are Caucasians, many of whom are couples in which both people are working.
Federal spending on SNAP is approximately $99.8 billion a year.
86% of all SNAP benefits go to households that include a child, an elderly person or a person with a disability.
1.3 million SNAP recipients are veterans.
Information provided by USDA.gov
How will this effect everyone?
People who don’t receive SNAP benefit will also affected if the benefits aren’t administered. 9 billion dollars of grocery spending vanishes. This affects local and national grocery store owners, employees and the entire supply chain including truck drivers and people who provide food to grocery stores. Every dollar spent from SNAP benefits, adds about $1.80 to the economy. The way to combat this is to drastically increase the price of groceries and grocery prices are already up 3% in 2025 alone which is a higher increase in the price of groceries over the last 20 years. If SNAP benefits only go away in November alone, it will cost the economy 13 to 14 billion dollars and states will stand to lose 300 to 500 hundred million dollars in tax revenue.
Indy’s 3 main Muslim Food Pantries
The three main Muslim food pantries in and near Indianapolis are the IMCA food pantry near Masjid Al Fajr, Lut’s Pantry at Masjid Al-Mumineen and the Alhuda food pantry. Further information for these food pantries can be found in the Assistance Directory included in each monthly issue of Crescent Chronicles. Organizers of pantries have been discussing this anticipated concern and have sounded the alarm, calling out to community leaders and those who are concerned about food insecurity. Carolyn Ewing, volunteer for Lut’s pantry tells me, “The three Muslim ran pantries will be hit pretty hard as they serve a lot of brown skin, immigrant and senior residents. In addition, those being laid off due to the shutdown or other layoff madness will also need assistance. No one will be sure of the impact until November 1 rolls around and SNAP and WIC benefits stop. Even if the state steps in, that funding will be of a limited term.” Ewing adds that she is positive our community will step up as did during covid.
For those seeking assistance, please contact 211 by phone for a list of assistance services available to you by area or online at foodpantries.org and FindHelp.org
How can you help?
One charitable action is frequently emphasized in the Qur’an is feeding other people. Abdullah bin Amr (ra) said, “A man asked the Prophet (pbuh), What Islamic traits are best?
Prophet said, “Feed the people and greet those whom you know and those whom you do not know.” (Bukhari 6236)
If SNAP and WIC benefits do not get distributed for November, it is a possibility that all the food pantries will be understocked to serve the amount of people needing food assistance. It’s always beneficial to support your local food pantry to help those in need but the month of November may be a crucial time to donate your time, items or money to help support our community. Food pantries are always welcoming and seeking for volunteers to help sort items, organize donations and help on distribution days. With plentiful volunteers, distribution to the community goes so much smoother and quicker.
IMCA food pantry, Lut’s pantry and the Alhuda pantry welcome monetary and item donations. Links for donations are available on their websites.
If you know of a family specifically, donate to them directly.
Host someone that you know who may be having difficulty with food insecurity to dine at your home or prepare a meal that you can deliver to them at home.
Vote for local and national leaders who care about the commonwealth of people.
Tips and Tricks to save money on groceries
Staple Foods that can help stretch your meals: by an anonymous contributor.
Rice-
Think about adding chickpeas to your rice for extra protein, making cilantro lime rice with shredded chicken tacos. Rice can be made to taste so many ways; you'll never get bored.
Beans’
Beans are a great source of protein when the cost of meat is high. Consider making cheesy, bean and rice burritos. You can use black beans or refried beans!
Noodles=
Of course, everyone thinks of pasta sauce and spaghetti which is great. However, you can also use it with soy sauce to make an Asian noodle inspired dish or add elbow noodles to veggie soup or chili.
Canned items-
If fresh produce is not in your budget, select options that are canned. It can be very difficult to purchase the freshest and healthiest options when you’re on a tight budget, but canned fruits and vegetables are an option for a balanced meal.
Other tips include:
Consider using a crockpot to make your chicken. Shredded chicken can go farther than just cubed or sliced chicken.
Ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken can go a long way. You can add browned ground beef in minimal amounts to recipes more so than eating singular pieces of chicken, turkey or beef cuts.
Use any bones, bits and pieces left from your chicken to make chicken broth.
Save vegetable scraps to add to the broth flavor.
Try not to buy precut fruit and vegetables. Most of the time they are more expensive than ones you must prepare yourself. You can always cut the veggies and fruit and freeze them if you are worried you won't be able to use them in time.
Making snacks at home rather than being prepacked snacks can help cut costs. Or simply buy your own snacks to divide. An example of that would be buying your favorite chips or cookies and putting one serving in a container when you need it. You could even do this with juice and water bottles.
The month of November, Aldi grocery stores are helping families by offering many items at a much lower cost than normal, especially items that American residents may purchase for a typical Thanksgiving style meal. Of course, these items can be used anytime.
The Dollar Tree discount store offers many shelf stable grocery options for $1.25 and some freezer and refrigerator items for $1.25-$5.00.
Circle City Bargain store on the south side of Indianapolis offers discounts on produce items every weekend, many times as low as $1.00 for a bag of apples, container of berries and poplar name brand prepared salads.
I hope these tips come in handy. May Allah bless the readers and make it easy.
If you or someone you know may be affected by food insecurity, please seek help from your community and don’t forget to seek help from Allah in your duaas.
And We will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever places his trust in Allah, sufficient for He is him, for Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: For verily Allah has appointed all things a due proportion. -Surah At-Talaq (65:3)
In a hadith, Umar said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) say: “if you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance, He is due, you would be given provision like the birds. They go out hungry in the morning and come back with full bellies in the evening. (Tirmidhi 2344, Ibn Majah 4164)