Government Shutdown Creates largest turnout at West Little River's Thanksgiving Event.

Arcola Lakes Senior Center

By Ernest Fredony Jr. This past government shutdown marked one of the longest in its history. And with that came delays in SNAP benefits, which largely affected low-income communities across Miami-Dade. This upcoming Thanksgiving marked the largest attendance, when hundreds showed up for a food giveaway event held in West Little River.

People who attended received gift bags that contained Thanksgiving Day food, all made possible by sponsors of the event: Farm Share, United HomeCare, the Prosperity Social Community Development Group, Inc., and MJD Wellness.

The demographic of residents of this neighborhood are mostly Hispanic and Black, notably of Cuban and Haitian ancestry, whose median household income is approximately $26,756 as recorded in the year 2023.

SNAP benefits were halted due to the lack of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which forced them to initially suspend benefits and later issue reduced payments because they lacked the full amount of funds for the month of November. The Trump administration justified these cuts as a way to cut spending, correct mistakes, and refocus efforts on what it considers priorities for American farmers, though the reasoning remains unclear to affected communities.

These decisions have done more harm than good, which has further disrupted the communities of Miami-Dade.