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The Hunger Line: America’s Most Vulnerable Face a Crisis of Cruelty

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — There are moments when a nation shows its soul. This is one of them.

Published

12 months ago

October 28, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

There are moments when a nation shows its soul. This is one of them.

Across America, millions are waiting for food assistance that will not come. The Trump administration’s refusal to release federal contingency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — known as SNAP — has triggered what many are calling a man-made famine. For the first time in history, the federal government has deliberately stopped food aid during a shutdown. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul stood before cameras, surrounded by advocates and families, and called the situation what it is: cruel. Nearly three million New Yorkers stand to lose benefits. She announced $30 million in state funds to cover 16 million meals, calling it a desperate measure to soften the blow of what she described as “the destruction Republicans in Washington are inflicting on our state.” “I am doing everything in my power to ensure New Yorkers do not go hungry this holiday season,” Hochul said. “No state can backfill these devastating cuts, but I am taking action to support families suffering the consequences of Republicans’ cruelty.”

The federal government’s refusal to act, she added, “is not a matter of policy, it’s a matter of humanity.” Her words echo across the country. From Boston to Baton Rouge, from Cleveland to Compton, governors and mayors are preparing for hunger on a scale unseen in decades. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey called it historic for all the wrong reasons. “President Donald Trump is the first president in U.S. history to cut off SNAP benefits to people in America,” she said. In Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said the city cannot cover the $30 million shortfall to continue food benefits. “We need the federal government to do its part,” she said. Councilmember Christina Henderson described residents facing “death by a thousand cuts” as federal layoffs and social service reductions take hold. Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin took a different path. He declared a state of emergency, blamed Democrats, and thanked Trump for his “continued support,” promising to use state funds to keep benefits flowing. Critics called it political theater. His order provided no clear plan for how the funds would reach the 850,000 Virginians who rely on SNAP each month.

In Maryland, officials have money in the treasury but refuse to spend it without a guarantee that Trump’s Department of Agriculture will reimburse them. “We are not going to gamble billions of taxpayer dollars while this administration turns its back on working families,” one official said. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein accused the administration of “a cruel abdication of responsibility.” His state has 1.4 million residents who depend on SNAP, including 580,000 children. “As temperatures cool and the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, refusing to use available funds is unconscionable,” he said. The numbers tell the rest of the story. Forty-two million Americans rely on SNAP every month. At least 25 states have already notified recipients that their benefits will stop on November 1. The list includes California, Arkansas, Mississippi, and New Jersey. Food banks are preparing for a surge they cannot handle. The New York Times reported that demand has already exceeded supply, with donations down and costs up. “When that social safety net breaks above us, we will be there to do as much as we can,” said Andrea Williams of the Oregon Food Bank. “And it will not be enough.”

ProPublica revealed that the Trump administration earlier canceled nearly 94 million pounds of food aid, including meat, eggs, and dairy, that were supposed to reach food banks nationwide. For those on the front lines, it was an invisible theft — food promised but never delivered. At the same time, the USDA has confirmed that it will not release $6 billion in federal contingency funds, claiming the money can only be used for “unforeseen events” such as natural disasters. The shutdown, apparently, does not qualify. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Republicans in Congress have needlessly shut down the government, and now they’re refusing to work with Democrats to maintain the benefits that put food on the table for millions of Americans.” Senator Peter Welch of Vermont was blunt. “This is all Trump,” he said. “He’s not engaged. He could care less.” Senator Mark Warner of Virginia agreed, calling it “outrageous” that the president is overseas while millions at home face starvation. “Stay in America. Put America first. Sit down with us and work this out,” Warner said.

Private companies have started doing what the government will not. DoorDash announced it would waive fees for food banks and deliver free groceries to families in need. “No one should go hungry in America,” said Max Rettig, the company’s vice president for public policy. “We know this is a stopgap, not a solution. But doing nothing isn’t an option.” In the Bronx, Representative Ritchie Torres said the effects are not theoretical. “SNAP is the difference between hunger and stability for over 150,000 families,” he said. “When Republicans in Washington threaten to cut food assistance, they are threatening to take meals off the tables of children, seniors, and working parents.”

The country is watching as food banks brace for impact, as parents skip meals to feed their kids, as a government chosen by the people turns away from them. The shutdown has now lasted more than four weeks. The lights in the Capitol still burn through the night, but the refrigerators in millions of homes do not. And as one food bank worker in New York put it, staring at a half-empty warehouse before the holidays, “They aren’t numbers on a page. They’re people. And they’re about to be hungry.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

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Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

Published

2 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

Experience the difference smooth suspension makes on rough streets. Check out the surprisingly good second-row legroom – test it yourself for true comfort.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/l9Z571za5Gc

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

2 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.