Saturday, as SNAP payments paused amid the federal government shutdown, Three Square Food Bank mounted emergency drive‑thru distributions across the Las Vegas Valley, handing out 60‑pound care packages meant to keep families fed for roughly a week. Hundreds of volunteers packed the boxes at the Thomas & Mack Center and at other pop‑up sites while residents lined up for help. Local leaders warned the gap in federal aid could strain pantries and households if it continues into November, according to FOX5.
Three Square mobilizes at Thomas & Mack
Three Square said it distributed thousands of pounds of food and expected roughly 1,000 people to pick up one of the 60‑pound care packages at the Thomas & Mack distribution, the food bank’s president Beth Martino told reporters. “We’re here distributing thousands of pounds of food to families in need,” Martino said, as reported by FOX5.
Multiple drive‑thru sites across the valley
The Thomas & Mack event was one of several drive‑thru distributions staged Saturday; other sites included TCMI Church on North Rainbow Boulevard, Central Church in Henderson and a pop‑up at the College of Southern Nevada in North Las Vegas. Times and a frequently updated list of emergency locations were posted by the food bank and reported by local outlets, according to KTNV.
Food banks seeing a surge in new users
Three Square leaders told reporters their network has seen a roughly 16% increase in people using food pantries over the past four months, and that about 75% of that increase represents first‑time visitors. "Some of these folks today, I promise, have not accessed any type of charitable food network in their lives before," a Three Square operations official said, as reported by FOX5.
Federal pause and legal fight
The suspension of SNAP allotments began Nov. 1 after federal nutrition funding ran short amid the shutdown, imperiling monthly benefits for millions and prompting states and nonprofits to scramble for alternatives. Two federal judges have since ordered the administration to use contingency reserves to continue SNAP payments while lawsuits proceed, though advocates warn delays and partial payments remain possible, according to reporting from AP and national coverage that tracked the USDA's funding decisions.
How to get help — and how to help
People who need immediate assistance can find updated distribution locations, pantry hours and volunteer or donation information on Three Square’s Food Finder map or by calling the food bank at 702‑765‑4030; the food bank is also accepting monetary donations to buy food in bulk. For the latest schedule and resources, see Three Square and local coverage from KTNV.
University staff who helped assemble packages noted that many students and campus workers will be affected by the benefits pause, and volunteers described the crowds as a cross‑section of the city — people from every zip code turning up for help. Food banks say they'll continue emergency distributions while officials press for a longer‑term fix from state and federal leaders.
