Families could face hunger if SNAP ends

If the federal government shutdown does not end next week, food aid advocates say thousands of Minnesotans could go hungry.

These advocates joined local and state officials at a news conference on Friday to reiterate their concerns.

The federal government shutdown temporarily halted federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. It provides nutritional benefits to low-income families.

The loss of federal funding leaves a $73 million hole in Minnesota’s food safety net, and state officials say there isn’t enough money to provide Minnesota participants with November benefits.

Food banks are already stressed in Minnesota They say they are concerned about the growing flood of demandIf that happens.

On average, SNAP participants in Minnesota receive about $40 per week in benefits. These benefits are issued to the participant’s Electronic Benefit Transfer Card, an electronic system used to access and spend SNAP benefits.

Stakeholders in food assistance programs said Friday they are still looking to cut SNAP benefits on Nov. 1 if the federal government shutdown continues.

Losing SNAP benefits would create a “hunger catastrophe,” said Sarah Moberg, CEO of Second Harvest Heartland. Second Harvest is the largest support resource team in the state, with a team of full-time SNAP outreach and assistance specialists.

“There is simply not enough food in the system, especially after state and federal cuts, to meet current needs, let alone the increased demand we expect if SNAP benefits are truly disrupted in November,” Moberg said.

More than 440,000 Minnesotans who benefit from SNAP and the Minnesota Family Investment Program, including 180,000 children and 67,000 seniors, could lose their grocery allotments. MFIP cash benefits will be issued as usual.

“Every week, there are likely to be more and more families going hungry,” Hennepin County Commissioner Irene Fernando said Friday. “These are our neighbors, our children, our classmates and friends, working families, parents, aunts and uncles – working hard, working multiple jobs to ensure there is food on the table, and that there is a safe place for their families to lay their heads at night.”

Hennepin County alone receives 1,200 to 1,300 SNAP applications weekly, according to Hennepin County Economic Support Director Reggie Wagner.

“Averaging about $6 a day, for many families, these vital benefits mean the difference between hunger and making a living,” said Tiki Brown, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families. “They are not an additional benefit. They are absolutely essential to the lives of many, many Minnesotans.”