My family lives off my husband's disability check and the income I earn as a local photographer. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, yet despite my qualifications, I have not been able to find a job. Like many others in our community, we rely heavily on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to feed our family. With the government shutdown looming, the threat of being without essential food support is real and terrifying.

The inability of our elected officials to come to an agreement and reopen the government affects everyday citizens like you and me. Food insecurity is a significant problem in the United States, and programs like SNAP are vital in ensuring that everyone has access to basic necessities. According to Feeding America, more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, are food insecure in the United States. Shutting down the government only exacerbates these dire statistics by withholding vital benefits.

We are calling on Congress and the federal government to reopen discussions and move beyond political stalemates that merely harm those they are meant to serve. It is not just my family who will suffer, but millions of families across the nation who count on SNAP as a lifeline. An open and functioning government is critical—the lives and well-being of countless families depend on it.

Join me in urging the government to reopen and ensure that SNAP benefits are back on the table by November. Food security should not be a matter of politics, but a human right. Let us appeal to their sense of duty and compassion by demanding immediate action.

Please sign this petition to ensure that no one goes hungry because of political gridlock. Let's make our voices heard and ensure our government prioritizes the needs of its people.