REGIONAL — As federal food assistance programs face their first funding gap in decades, local food shelves are preparing for an influx of families who may suddenly find themselves without grocery money.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries, is expected to stop loading benefits onto recipient debit cards Saturday due to the ongoing government shutdown. The cutoff could affect 440,000 Minnesotans, including 180,000 children and 67,000 seniors, according to state Attorney General Keith Ellison.
At the Cook Food Shelf, volunteer Cleo Cottrell said interest has been high since news of the cuts broke.
“Most of the calls I’ve received have been about whether we’re going to be open,” Cottrell said. The food shelf will remain operational, though it’s unclear how much demand will increase. “Right now, we’ll play it by ear. It’s hard to say what will happen when the benefits run out.”
The average SNAP benefit is $187 per person monthly. For many families, that assistance makes the difference between putting food on the table and going hungry.
The Trump administration’s Department of Agriculture announced last week it would not use a $5 billion congressional contingency fund intended to keep SNAP running during shutdowns, claiming it lacks legal authority to do so. That decision prompted a lawsuit Tuesday from attorneys general in 22 states and the District of Columbia, including Minnesota.
“Congress put a rainy-day fund in place so nutrition support could continue during a government shutdown, yet despite that clear Congressional intent, Trump’s USDA is refusing to tap into that fund,” Ellison said, calling the decision “cruel” and “unlawful.”
The lawsuit also seeks access to a separate $23 billion fund currently supporting the Women, Infants and Children program, known as WIC. That program, which serves more than 6 million low-income mothers, young children and expectant parents, received an emergency $300 million infusion to stay open through October but could run out of money as early as Nov. 8.
For food shelves already operating on tight margins, the cuts present logistical challenges. Cottrell said certain items have been harder to come by even before the federal programs ended.
“If we don’t have it, we don’t have it,” she said, noting that fewer people may receive certain items if demand spikes.
The Cook Food Shelf relies on a network of suppliers. Much of its food comes from Second Harvest, which directs surplus food to nonprofits, while other items are purchased at Zup’s. Paper products arrive from mills and recycling facilities near Minneapolis.
As news of the federal cuts spread, some regular donors have already reached out about increasing their monthly contributions. Cottrell said donations are essential to keeping the food shelf running. Those wishing to help can mail checks to PO Box 633 in Cook.
Nonperishable items can also be dropped off at Zup’s, the State Farm agency, and local churches.
Meanwhile, the Ely Area Food Shelf is planning a one-time supplemental food box distribution for people losing federal assistance from 3-6 p.m. on Nov. 7. Households will be identified by their EBT card, and only one box per household will be distributed. The box will include fresh, canned, and frozen food. Regular shopping for November will be on Nov. 19 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Nov. 22 from 8-11 a.m.
Should the shutdown continue past Nov. 24, they’ll consider a second supplemental distribution, staff said.
States nationwide are scrambling to fill the gap. Minnesota plans to boost funding for food banks and pantries, according to MPR News. Rhode Island’s governor announced $6 million in emergency assistance, though that will help only 60,000 of the state’s 145,000 SNAP recipients. Virginia is creating a new system to load benefit cards weekly, while West Virginia has launched a donation drive with up to $13 million in state matching funds.
Some states, including California and West Virginia, have called on National Guard troops to help distribute food at pantries, though some California food banks have declined the assistance over concerns that the Trump administration’s use of those troops in immigration enforcement could deter vulnerable residents from seeking help.
With SNAP debit cards no longer being reloaded as of Nov. 1, beneficiaries with existing balances will still be able to use them at retailers. But for those living paycheck to paycheck, the loss of federal assistance means impossible choices between buying food and paying other bills.
More than 130 Head Start preschool programs also won’t receive their annual federal grants Saturday if the shutdown continues, potentially affecting more than 65,000 seats nationwide, according to the National Head Start Association.
Information about the Cook Food Shelf’s hours can be found on the Cook local page.
Minnesota Public Radio contributed to this report.