Days into SNAP shut off, Rhode Island leaders are weighing and pitching in

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — More than a month into the government shutdown a three days after the nationwide SNAP cut off, two local mayors will discuss a court order requiring the Trump administration to act on releasing funds.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera will hold a press conference Monday alongside community leaders, nonprofit representatives and workers’ rights organizations to talk about the ruling by a Boston district court judge.

The Providence City Hall event will be held at 10 a.m. as the Trump administration has until noon Monday to respond to the judge’s order.

Rhode Island Congressional leaders will also weigh in on the SNAP pause in at a food drive in Cranston at 11 a.m.

Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo will be at the event calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to activate emergency funds for SNAP.

The Rhode Island General Assembly is also working on the issue, with State Representative Charlene Lima and Councilman Andy Andujar’s announcement that they procured 500 food baskets for SNAP recipients.

These items came from the Elisha Project.

The baskets will be distributed Monday at Cranston Parks and Recreation on Gansett Avenue, available on a first-come, first served basis to EBT card-holding residents.

To find food banks in Rhode Island, you can go here.

For Massachusetts residents in need of assistance, click here.