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Families without transportation struggle to access food as SNAP benefits pause

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Saturday, November 1st 2025 at 4:57 GMT by FOX13 Memphis
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Families Without Transportation Struggle to Access Food as SNAP Benefits Pause

A sudden pause in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that began on Tuesday has left thousands of low‑income families in Memphis scrambling for food. The pause, which lasted until Thursday, was caused by a technical glitch in the federal electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system that temporarily disabled the ability to load or use EBT cards at grocery stores across the country. For many Memphis residents, the interruption has been especially hard because most of them rely on public transportation or ride‑share services to reach the few supermarkets and food banks that still operate during the pause.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified the public that the disruption would be brief, but the practical reality on the ground has proven far more complex. In Memphis, where over 300,000 residents live below the poverty line, the temporary loss of SNAP benefits has highlighted a persistent transportation barrier that many families face even when the program is functioning normally.

The Immediate Impact

When the pause began, local grocery chains such as Food Lion, Publix, and Walmart reported that many customers presented EBT cards that could not be verified. According to a spokesperson for the Memphis Food Bank, “We saw a sudden spike in people coming to our drop‑off location, asking whether they could get any food help while their benefits were suspended. A lot of them said they don’t have a car and the nearest bus stop is miles away.”

The Memphis Food Bank, which operates a weekly mobile pantry that drives into underserved neighborhoods, quickly adapted. By partnering with a local nonprofit, the food bank set up a temporary distribution point at a Walmart in Midtown, operating from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Volunteers handed out a limited selection of free groceries—including fresh produce, canned goods, and household items—to families who could not otherwise access food.

“We’re doing what we can to fill the gap,” said Food Bank director Maria Hernandez. “But the reality is that people who need to go farther to find a store are left out. Without a vehicle or a reliable bus route, they’re stuck.”

Transportation as a Barrier

Transportation has long been a critical issue for Memphis residents who depend on SNAP. According to a recent report by the Memphis Urban Planning Association, over 70 % of low‑income households lack a personal vehicle, and only 35 % of public transit routes run into the most food‑insecure neighborhoods. The pause has amplified this problem, as families who were already on the margins found themselves cut off from essential food sources.

Mayor Jim Strickland, speaking at a city council meeting, acknowledged the city’s role in mitigating the crisis. “We’re coordinating with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to schedule additional bus services to key grocery locations during this period,” he said. “We’re also exploring short‑term partnership opportunities with ride‑share companies to subsidize rides for families receiving SNAP benefits.”

State officials have also stepped in. Governor Bill Lee announced that the state will provide a $5 million emergency grant to expand food bank operations in the Memphis region. The grant is earmarked for expanding mobile pantry routes, providing free food vouchers, and setting up pop‑up distribution sites in partnership with local retailers.

Long‑Term Solutions and Ongoing Efforts

Beyond the immediate relief efforts, stakeholders in Memphis are calling for systemic changes that address both transportation and food access. A coalition of community leaders, food bank executives, and public health officials has drafted a “Food Access Initiative” aimed at increasing the number of grocery stores in low‑income areas, expanding public transit routes, and subsidizing transportation for SNAP recipients.

The coalition also advocates for a broader policy shift within the SNAP program itself. They argue that the program should be more resilient to technical disruptions, perhaps by enabling alternative delivery methods such as food boxes or direct transfers to local food pantries. Some experts suggest that a “local delivery network” could be integrated into the SNAP infrastructure, allowing families to receive pre‑packed grocery kits that can be collected at community centers or food banks.

On the federal level, the USDA has issued a statement acknowledging the pause and explaining that the glitch was caused by a software update that inadvertently disabled EBT validation. The agency has committed to implementing a more robust backup system and to improving communication with state agencies so that disruptions are minimized in the future.

Community Voices

The pause has also amplified the voices of Memphis residents who feel trapped by a system that fails to account for their realities. “I’m a single mother of three, and I have no car,” said one family member who asked to remain anonymous. “When the benefits were paused, I was worried I wouldn’t have anything to eat. We had to rely on the food bank and the help from neighbors.”

Another resident, a retired veteran who depends on a limited pension and SNAP benefits, said, “I have a small garden in my apartment, but I still need groceries for protein and produce. The pause made me realize how fragile our situation is.”

These personal stories underscore the urgency of addressing both the transportation hurdles and the reliability of assistance programs.

Moving Forward

As the pause ends and SNAP benefits resume, Memphis officials are monitoring the situation closely. The city plans to launch a “Food Access and Mobility” pilot program later this year, which will test the efficacy of subsidized ride‑share services for low‑income families accessing grocery stores. Additionally, the city will conduct a survey to identify the most critical transportation gaps in the community and work with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to address them.

While the pause was brief, it exposed long‑standing systemic gaps in how food assistance intersects with transportation and access. The city’s response—including the rapid deployment of mobile pantries, the expansion of public transit services, and the call for federal policy changes—provides a blueprint for other urban areas grappling with similar challenges.

In the meantime, Memphis residents who continue to struggle with transportation and food access are encouraged to reach out to the Memphis Food Bank and the local community centers for assistance. Contact information for the food bank, as well as a list of emergency resources, is available on the city’s official website and on the Tennessee Department of Health’s food assistance portal.