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 a federal shutdown threatens to halt November SNAP benefits on Nov. 1, a disruption that would forego about $73 million and affect more than 440,000 residents. The stopgap — with food shelves receiving a roughly $5,000 base plus extra funds by caseload and on‑the‑ground measures like pantries preparing for surges and airport emergency distributions — is limited, especially as WIC and preschool aid are also at risk and advocates warn food shelves alone cannot bridge the gap.
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đź“Ś Key Facts
- Gov. Tim Walz has formally directed $4 million to Minnesota food shelves as an emergency measure.
- The funding was directed this week ahead of an expected November 1 SNAP disruption tied to the federal shutdown.
- Minnesota’s anticipated lost SNAP benefits for November are estimated at about $73 million, affecting more than 440,000 residents (with a majority in Greater Minnesota); the state spends more than $70 million on SNAP each month, underscoring that the $4 million is a limited stopgap.
- Officials and food‑bank leaders warn the $4 million cannot fully bridge the gap; The Food Group’s director said food shelves alone cannot meet the projected demand and broader community food sharing will be needed.
- On‑the‑ground responses include Open Door Pantry in Eagan preparing for up to 500 additional families and weekly emergency food‑box distributions at MSP Terminal 1 for unpaid federal workers (TSA and others).
- Keystone Community Services proposed giving food shelves a base of about $5,000 each with additional funds based on people served, and estimates more than 70,000 Ramsey County residents will be affected by the November SNAP pause.
- WIC in Minnesota serves roughly 100,000 participants (about 40% of newborns); added funds will sustain WIC and related services only through about mid‑November if the shutdown continues.
- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joined a 23‑state lawsuit seeking access to USDA contingency funds that the agency has refused to deploy.
đź“š Contextual Background
- Starting Oct. 1, the new maximum monthly SNAP allotments for Minnesota households are: 1 person $298, 2 people $546, 3 people $785, 4 people $994, 5 people $1,183, 6 people $1,421, 7 people $1,571, 8 people $1,789, and each additional person $218.
- Essential federal functions generally continue during a shutdown, including border protection, law enforcement, air traffic control and power grid maintenance.
đź“° Sources (6)
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.