Taylor Swift fans encourage fundraising to ‘support food banks nationwide’ amid SNAP’s suspension

A faction of Taylor Swift’s politically mobile fans, Swifties For Hope, have called on their followers to fundraise for food banks across the US as the current government plans to shut down the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) today, November 1.

The online blog tweeted in support of the food banks, noting, “Tomorrow, SNAP benefits will halt and the 42 million Americans who rely on them will need help.”

Variety has noted, “Although the group is not affiliated with Swift’s camp, the Swiftie coalition states in its bio that its mission is to ‘mobilize fans to protect democracy’”.

Initially bidding for a donation of $13, the pop star’s birth date and subsequent lucky number, the group further encouraged fellow Swifties to contribute “whatever you are able to”.

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the top rated public health school in the US, describes SNAP as “the United States’ largest anti-hunger program” on its official website.

“Established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, is the United States’ largest anti-hunger program, helping an average of 41.7 million — or 1 in 8 — Americans per month,” the website states.

Currently, the longstanding scheme is facing a halt due to the shutdown of the country’s government. According to the BBC, “Republicans and Democrats could not agree to pass a bill funding government services past 1 October, when the previous federal budget expired.”

Following the budgetary crisis, funds for SNAP benefits are understood to be insufficient. Though a federal court’s ruling on Friday stated that the government must arrange the finances “as soon as possible”.

It is worth noting that Taylor Swift’s fans also joined forces for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign last year and were able to raise more than $100,000 thanks to their efforts.