Days after Republicans in Congress blocked a bill to keep food assistance benefits flowing to 42 million Americans during their government shutdown, the heartbreaking consequences are already coming into focus.

Food banks are struggling to keep their shelves stocked. And because of the GOP’s unwillingness to come to the negotiating table, there’s no end to the shutdown in sight.

Trump's attempted freeze on SNAP and WIC benefits is coming just days after new reporting revealed that the administration cut $500 million in deliveries to food banks across the country. These food banks were expecting 27 million pounds of chicken, 2 million gallons of milk, and 67 million eggs that never arrived. It went to waste instead.

Because of Donald Trump, so many families across Kansas are wondering if their kids will have the nutrition they need to grow up healthy — all while the charitable organizations that work to fight hunger are facing more barriers than ever before.

With that said, there’s never been a better time to donate to a local food bank.

One of my personal favorites is Harvesters Community Food Network, an organization dedicated to fighting hunger in northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri. You can click here to make a donation.

Another favorite is the Kansas Food Bank, an organization that works with local food pantries in Western Kansas to keep shelves stocked in rural counties. Click here to contribute if you’re able.

Finally, if you’d like to support a food bank in your own community, use this tool by Feeding America to find the food bank closest to you.

I know that these times are difficult for so many of us. The challenges we’re up against, and the harm we’re seeing every day, is very, very real. But none of us are powerless.

So if Donald Trump and his National Republican allies won’t help families, we can.

Thank you,

Sharice Davids