Ramsey County approves $450K for food shelves; 11 recipients named, $70K reserved for infant formula
Ramsey County approved $450,000 in emergency funding for 11 food-shelf providers — Keystone Community Services; Neighborhood House; Open Cupboard; Sanneh Foundation; Merrick Community Services; White Bear Area Food Shelf; Corner Shelf; CLUES; Hallie Q. Brown Community Center; Interfaith Action (Department of Indian Work); and Vineyard Community Services — and reserved $70,000 specifically to purchase infant formula if WIC benefits are disrupted. The action is intended to blunt the impact of a SNAP and MFIP stoppage that affects roughly 35,500 SNAP households (about 68,500 people) and 3,500 MFIP households (about 9,800 people), with county leaders stressing the urgent need to ensure families have access to food.
Health
Local Government
📌 Key Facts
- Ramsey County approved $450,000 to support local food shelves during the federal shutdown.
- $70,000 of the funding is reserved specifically to purchase infant formula if the shutdown significantly disrupts WIC benefits.
- The county named 11 recipient providers: Keystone Community Services; Neighborhood House; Open Cupboard; Sanneh Foundation; Merrick Community Services; White Bear Area Food Shelf; Corner Shelf; CLUES; Hallie Q. Brown Community Center; Interfaith Action (Department of Indian Work); and Vineyard Community Services.
- Estimated need in Ramsey County includes about 35,500 SNAP households (68,500 individuals) and roughly 3,500 MFIP households (9,800 individuals); SNAP and MFIP together provide approximately $14 million per month to county residents.
- SNAP and MFIP food assistance was stopped on Nov. 1 due to the shutdown; a recent court decision directed continuation of SNAP but the overall impact and continuity remain uncertain.
- About 17,900 Ramsey County residents receive WIC; the administration reportedly provided $450 million to WIC nationally.
- County Chair Rafael Ortega stressed urgency and uncertainty, saying families and children cannot wait and the county is focused on ensuring access to food and essential resources.
- The city of St. Paul is running a concurrent citywide food drive to assist SNAP recipients.
📚 Contextual Background
- Essential federal functions generally continue during a shutdown, including border protection, law enforcement, air traffic control and power grid maintenance.
📰 Sources (2)
Ramsey County: $450,000 for food shelves as shutdown continues
New information:
- Lists the 11 recipient providers: Keystone Community Services; Neighborhood House; Open Cupboard; Sanneh Foundation; Merrick Community Services; White Bear Area Food Shelf; Corner Shelf; CLUES; Hallie Q. Brown Community Center; Interfaith Action (Department of Indian Work); Vineyard Community Services.
- $70,000 is specifically reserved to purchase infant formula if the shutdown significantly disrupts WIC benefits.
- Scope of need detail: ~35,500 SNAP households (68,500 individuals) in Ramsey County; ~3,500 MFIP households (9,800 individuals).
- Programs update: Article states SNAP and MFIP stopped food assistance on Nov. 1 due to the shutdown; references a recent court decision directing continuation of SNAP while noting uncertain impact.
- WIC context: ~17,900 Ramsey County residents receive WIC; administration reportedly provided $450M to WIC nationally.
- Scale of monthly aid: SNAP and MFIP provide approximately $14 million per month to county residents.
- Quote from Chair Rafael Ortega emphasizing urgency and uncertainty: 'Families and children cannot wait — we remain focused on ensuring they have access to food and essential resources right now.'
- Notes St. Paul’s concurrent citywide food drive to assist SNAP recipients.