As of Nov. 1, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) halted its benefits due to a government shutdown, leaving millions of people across the country, and tens of thousands across Baldwin County, uncertain as to how they will afford grocery items in the coming weeks.

As previously reported by GCM, in the U.S., more than 40 million people rely on SNAP to buy food, and in Alabama, more than 740,000 residents depend on the program, according to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. In Baldwin County, according to the Federal Reserve Bank, 20,790 residents depended on SNAP assistance in 2022, and food pantry leaders say they're already preparing for what could be one of the busiest seasons they've ever seen.

The shutdown has prompted several nonprofit and community-based organizations to release lists of suggested non-perishable grocery items, food pantry locations and a variety of food drop off events.

Sea Glass Initiative, based in Foley, which mainly focuses on the unhoused population of Baldwin County, has posted simple recipes consisting of ingredients that can be contained in a gallon-sized Ziplock bag.

From chicken and dumplings to tuna casserole, most meals have four-to-six ingredients. Michelle Hillman, executive director of Sea Glass, said the meals-in-a-bag, as well as their hot meals program, serves as a “fill in the gap” resource for those who don’t know where food pantries are located or how to access them.

Meals-in-a-bag can be dropped off at Sea Glass Initiative, 506 N. Pine St., Foley. To make a monetary donation to the program, visit www.theseaglassinitiative.com.

“If someone is receiving benefits and that is delayed, they have to eat or they have to feed their children,” Hillman said. “So, now they have to move money from their budget that was budgeted for something else, let’s say rent, and now they’re having to use their rent money, and we then have a bigger problem.”

Hillman said that on average, 300 people are fed at each event where hot food is passed out. A little over 8,000 residents of Baldwin County have visited Sea Glass since 2024.

This shows a need across the county. Shortage of funds for food impacts a community, Hillman said, as residents can support food pantries and local services and many residents use the resources provided of them. Everyone works together to tackle the food crisis.

Hillman said the need for volunteers is also something that is always needed. Some local farmers contribute produce to be prepared into meals that can stretch a bit farther and are healthier.

Many of the meals-in-a-bag are based on rice or soups, which often stretches the meal and feeds more people.

Nutritious food is hard to come by as people often do not donate options such as brown rice, low-sodium and whole grain.

“We met a gentleman yesterday who had not eaten in three days,” she said. “A lot of our unhoused residents, even those who are working, these benefits help them to exit homelessness. To lose benefits is huge, so we need to make sure that we have enough adequate supplies that we can help provide them meals.”

In addition to the suggested items and meals on the Sea Glass Facebook page, Hillman also suggested some items that are not often thought about when purchasing items to donate.

Laundry detergent, general cleaning supplies and toiletries are often forgotten when donating to food pantries. Another item that could be important to some individuals and families is pet food and care-taking accessories for a dog or cat.

MEALS IN BAGS AND BASKETS

Some ingredients that are quick to grab and affordable for a morning meal include: grits oatmeal, pancake mix and syrup, muffin mix, granola bars, cereal, canned corned beef hash, bagels, peanut butter, jam/jelly, applesauce or fruit cup, shelf-stable milk, shelf-stable OJ or another self-stable drink.

A list of foods specifically for those who are unhoused include: tuna/chicken in a packet; pop-top items of ravioli, spaghetti, etc.; canned meat in small cans; small, canned vegetables; instant mac and cheese; granola bars/breakfast bars; cereal bowls; individual peanut butters; ready-to-eat chili, soups, etc.; Vienna sausages/potted meat; milk in a box; and trail mix.

The meals-in-a-bag are not a specific type of food but can be cooked for a family unit.

Here are some recipes:

Taco rice skillet: Spanish rice, can of chicken, can of Rotel, 1 pack taco seasoning, can of corn, can of black beans.

Pasta primavera: Pasta (elbow mac), 1 packet vegetable soup mix, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can of mixed vegetables, 1 can of white beans, 1 can of white chicken.

Chili mac: 1-2 cans chili, 1 box Velveeta shells and cheese, 1 can unsweetened evaporated milk.

Rice and beans: 1 can of black beans, 1 bag of rice, 1 packet of taco seasoning, 1 can Rotel.

Creamy tuna noodle casserole: 2 cans of tuna, 1 bag egg noodles, 1 can sweet peas, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 container/bag of crispy onions.

Chicken and dumplings: 2 cans of chicken, box of red lobster biscuit mix, 2 cans cream of chicken soup, 1 can evaporated milk.

Chicken and rice: 1 lb rice of choice (wild/chicken), 2 cans chicken, 1 can cut green beans, 1 can cream of celery.

Taco soup: 2 cans of kidney beans, 2 cans Rotel tomatoes, 1 ranch seasoning packet, 1 taco seasoning packet, 1 can corn, 1 can white beans.

Shepard's pie: 1 box instant mashed potatoes, 1-2 large cans of beef stew, 1-2 cans sweet peas.

Mexican lasagna: 1 can cream of mushroom, 1 can enchilada sauce, 1 small can diced green chilies, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 pack soft tortilla shells, 2 cans of chicken, 1 can kidney beans.

Teriyaki chicken rice bowls: 1 lb rice (white, long grain, Asian), 2-4 cans of chicken, teriyaki sauce.

Forgotten chicken: 2 cans chicken, 1 can cream of celery, 1 can of cream of chicken, 2 cups minute rice, garlic powder, 1 packet onion soup mix.

According to Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermen’s Market's Facebook, it will be holding a non-perishable food drive throughout the month of November for the holiday season. Items will be collected until the pre-Thanksgiving market, which is held on Nov. 25.

After the market closes that day, pick-up for donated food items will be held from 2-3 p.m.