Walz directs $4M to Minnesota food shelves as SNAP cutoff nears
Gov. Tim Walz this week formally directed $4 million to Minnesota food shelves as an emergency stopgap ahead of an expected Nov. 1 interruption to SNAP and other federal food and preschool aid if the partial federal shutdown continues. The one‑time allocation — small compared with roughly $73 million in monthly SNAP benefits that reach more than 440,000 Minnesotans — supplements relief from United Way, local governments and food pantries preparing expanded distributions, but advocates warn food shelves alone cannot close the gap.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Gov. Tim Walz has formally directed $4 million in emergency funding to Minnesota food shelves this week to help families ahead of an expected November 1 SNAP disruption tied to the federal government shutdown.
- The $4 million is a limited stopgap compared with Minnesota’s regular SNAP spending (more than $70 million per month — roughly $73 million estimated for November), which affects more than 440,000 residents statewide.
- WIC and other programs are also strained: Minnesota WIC serves about 100,000 participants (covering roughly 40% of newborns), and added state/federal funds are expected to sustain services only through mid‑November if the shutdown persists.
- Local food shelves and pantries report rising demand and preparation: Open Door Pantry (Dakota County) serves about 22,000 people monthly and expects up to 500 additional families; Keystone Community Services estimates more than 70,000 Ramsey County residents will be affected; many pantries say monetary donations are preferred for flexibility.
- Community and municipal responses include: Greater Twin Cities United Way launching an Emergency Food Relief Campaign (211 food-related calls up 82%) and distributing $105,000 to local partners; Bloomington approving $250,000 in contingency grants and collecting donations; and weekly emergency food-box distributions at MSP Terminal 1 for unpaid federal workers.
- Hunger-relief leaders warn food shelves alone cannot fill the gap, urging broader community support; Keystone recommended a baseline allocation of about $5,000 per food shelf with additional funding scaled to number of people served.
- State officials have pursued legal and policy avenues as well: Minnesota joined a multistate (23-attorney‑general) lawsuit seeking access to USDA contingency funds that the agency has refused to deploy, and SNAP is not approving new applications while the shutdown continues.
đź“° Source Timeline (8)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
November 02, 2025
8:35 PM
United Way launches relief campaign as federal shutdown pressures Minnesota food shelves
New information:
- Greater Twin Cities United Way launched an Emergency Food Relief Campaign; food-related 211 calls are up 82%.
- United Way has already distributed $105,000 to Route 1, The People’s Market and The Food Group.
- Bloomington City Council approved $250,000 in contingency grants for local food programs if federal funds lapse; city departments are collecting donations.
- The Open Door in Dakota County (serving 22,000/month) is preparing to expand distributions; about 10,000 county residents could lose food assistance if the shutdown persists.
- Bloomington-specific impact: ~6,000 residents on SNAP/MFIP, 1,700 on WIC; Public Health provides formula to 200+ infants, including ~90 needing specialized formula.
October 30, 2025
5:29 PM
SNAP benefits ending: What Minnesotans need to know
New information:
- Reiterates Walz’s $4 million emergency allocation and notes many pantries prefer monetary donations for flexibility.
- Details local response: Open Door Pantry expecting 500 more families; some businesses offering free food.
- States SNAP is no longer approving new applications until the shutdown ends.
October 29, 2025
9:47 PM
How Minnesota is feeding federal workers and SNAP recipients
New information:
- Keystone Community Services says food shelves should receive a base of about $5,000 each, with additional funds based on the number of individuals served.
- Keystone estimates more than 70,000 Ramsey County residents will be affected by the November SNAP pause.
- On-the-ground response now includes weekly emergency food-box distributions at MSP Terminal 1 for unpaid federal workers (TSA and others).
9:33 PM
How the federal shutdown will affect food stamps, heating assistance and more in Minnesota
New information:
- Quantifies Minnesota’s foregone November SNAP at $73 million affecting more than 440,000 residents, with a majority living in Greater Minnesota.
- Details WIC’s Minnesota footprint (~100,000 participants; ~40% of newborns) and that added funds will carry services only until mid‑November.
- Includes on‑the‑record warning from The Food Group’s director that food shelves alone cannot bridge the gap and broader community food sharing will be needed.
- Notes Ellison’s participation in a 23‑AG lawsuit seeking access to contingency funds USDA has refused to deploy.
4:37 PM
SNAP funding ending during government shutdown: How you can help
New information:
- Frames the $4M emergency food-shelf funding against Minnesota’s SNAP spending of more than $70M per month, underscoring the limited scope of the stopgap.
- Reports immediate operational prep by a metro-area pantry (Open Door Pantry in Eagan) expecting up to 500 more families.
October 27, 2025
9:59 PM
Federal food benefits and preschool aid to run dry starting Saturday if shutdown continues
New information:
- Corroborates urgency by stating benefits and preschool aid would run dry starting Saturday if the shutdown persists.
- Broadens context by noting preschool aid, complementing prior coverage centered on food shelf stopgaps for SNAP disruptions.
6:53 PM
Walz directs $4 million to food shelves as SNAP cutoff approaches
New information:
- Gov. Tim Walz has formally directed $4 million to Minnesota food shelves (not just announced plans).
- Action tied to the imminent risk that November SNAP benefits will be halted during the federal shutdown.
- Timing confirmed as occurring this week, ahead of the expected November 1 SNAP disruption.