What people are searching for when it comes to losing SNAP benefits

As the government shutdown continues, those who depend on SNAP will lose their benefits starting on Saturday, assuming there isn’t a resolution.

It’s a significant story and one that impacts every community. If you haven’t already, it’s worth providing some coverage.

Nearly 42 million Americans depend on SNAP for food assistance and several states are in the process of creating emergency funding to help provide relief.

I want to spend time in today’s newsletter talking about how you can think about this story.

What are readers Googling?

Understanding what readers are actually asking about can be incredibly helpful as you consider what to write about. I’d take these questions below, which are what I can see being some of the most common search questions around this topic on Google and answer them in a Q&A formatted story:

• Where can I get food if SNAP is delayed?
• How do I apply for SNAP during the shutdown?
• Can I still use my EBT balance for food?
• Who’s offering help during the SNAP pause?
• How can I get SNAP and food bank updates?

You then could look at this from a local perspective. Here’s what I could see being searched for in Seattle as an example:

• Where can I find food banks in Seattle if SNAP stops?
• How do I apply for Basic Food in Seattle during the shutdown?
• Can I still use my EBT card in Seattle?
• Who’s offering food help during the SNAP pause in Seattle?
• How can I get Basic Food updates in Washington?

What to do with all of these questions?

There are a few paths that you could take as there are good stories loaded in these questions. But there are story ideas not just for people in need of food but also those who want to help out. I’d suggest:

• Food banks and other food services providing relief locally
• How to eat on a very low budget ($50 grocery store trips)
• Beyond food banks, where to find emergency meals (churches)
• How families can find essentials when SNAP doesn’t cover diapers or formula
• What food pantries are in most need of and how to donate
• How to volunteer at local pantries and others trying to help those in need
• Local Facebook groups and other online resources to tap for support and ideas

A few months ago, I created this list of story ideas you could create if you were seeking ways to help readers save money. Here it is.

How to make the content interactive

Beyond the text for the stories you might write, there are a handful of other resources you could provide people that are interactive.

Here are a few of those ideas:

• A Google Map showing local food banks, community meal sites, and mutual-aid pantries.
• Invite readers to share how the shutdown or SNAP pause has affected their family by filling out a form on your website. This makes for great profiles.
• Collect reader questions on this issue and answer the most common ones in a Q&A.
• Host a live chat or Instagram Q&A with a DSHS outreach worker, food bank director, or nutrition expert to answer questions in real time for your readers.