MSP starts weekly food aid for unpaid feds
Second Harvest Heartland, The Sanneh Foundation and the Metropolitan Airports Commission began weekly emergency food‑box distributions at MSP Terminal 1 on Oct. 29, aiding TSA agents and other federal workers missing pay during the shutdown. The article also details how metro food providers are bracing for the USDA’s November SNAP pause, with Keystone Community Services estimating more than 70,000 Ramsey County residents will be affected and urging donations and volunteers.
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Transit & Infrastructure
📌 Key Facts
- Weekly food-box distributions launched Oct. 29 at MSP Terminal 1 for TSA and other unpaid federal workers.
- Organizers: Second Harvest Heartland, The Sanneh Foundation, and the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
- Keystone estimates 70,000+ Ramsey County residents will be affected by the SNAP pause; Open Cupboard served ~1,300 people Tuesday across its programs.
📚 Contextual Background
- A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass appropriations bills or a continuing resolution to fund federal agencies, causing many federal services to pause and some employees to be furloughed.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers SNAP benefits and is responsible for issuing benefit payments.
- SNAP benefits are distributed electronically through state Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems and vendors.