Bread Welcomes the End of the Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C., November 12, 2025 – Bread for the World issued the following statement regarding the end of the government shutdown and the resumption of SNAP and other federal nutrition assistance benefits. The statement can be attributed to Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of Bread for the World.

“Bread for the World welcomes the end of the government shutdown and urges the immediate resumption of SNAP and other federal nutrition benefits. The shutdown shed a spotlight on the importance of SNAP to millions of families, including 16 million children served by the program, as well as farmers, grocery stores, food processors and other providers, across the United States. The coming funding cuts to the program will have a devastating ripple effect on families and communities in every corner of the country.

“Bread has urged Congress to end the shutdown and ensure benefits for SNAP, WIC, and other federal nutrition programs reach the families who depend on them.

“Bread further recognizes the nexus between food security and access to adequate healthcare.  Decisions made earlier this year could lead to major reductions in adequate healthcare and food assistance. We encourage Congress on both sides of the aisle to act in good faith in continued FY 2026 appropriations negotiations and ensure that essential resources and services are available and affordable for all Americans.

“Bread also welcomes passage of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, which funds Food for Peace and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program though fiscal year 2026. Both are critical international nutrition assistance programs which have saved tens of millions of lives and advance U.S. interests. In 2023, Food for Peace provided emergency aid and nutrition assistance to over 45 million people in 35 countries. That same year, McGovern-Dole fed nutritious school meals to more than 2.5 million food-insecure children in 34 countries.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,’ (Matthew 25:35 – NRSVUE).”