Ramsey County approves $450K for food shelves; 11 recipients named, $70K reserved for infant formula
Ramsey County approved $450,000 in emergency funds 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 buy infant formula if WIC benefits are disrupted. The emergency allocation, prompted by SNAP and MFIP stoppages that affect roughly 35,500 SNAP households (about 68,500 people) and 3,500 MFIP households (about 9,800 people) in Ramsey County, mirrors similar funding moves by nearby counties and cities.
📌 Key Facts
- Ramsey County approved $450,000 to support local food shelves and emergency food aid; subsequent reporting described the county’s emergency food allocation as nearly $500,000 and confirmed $70,000 is reserved to purchase infant formula if a 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.
- SNAP and MFIP food assistance stopped on Nov. 1 because of the federal shutdown; a recent court decision ordered continuation of SNAP benefits but officials warned the overall impact and duration of disruptions remain uncertain.
- An estimated 35,500 SNAP households (about 68,500 individuals) and 3,500 MFIP households (about 9,800 individuals) in Ramsey County could be affected by the pauses in benefits.
- SNAP and MFIP normally provide roughly $14 million per month to Ramsey County residents.
- Approximately 17,900 Ramsey County residents receive WIC; the federal administration has provided $450 million nationally to WIC programs.
- Ramsey County Chair Rafael Ortega emphasized urgency and uncertainty, saying, 'Families and children cannot wait — we remain focused on ensuring they have access to food and essential resources right now.'
- St. Paul launched a citywide food drive to help SNAP recipients, and coverage placed Ramsey’s funding alongside new allocations from Hennepin County and other municipalities, indicating a regional response to SNAP delays.
📰 Sources (3)
Minnesota cities, counties fund food aid after SNAP delays
New information:
- Reaffirms Ramsey County’s nearly $500,000 emergency food allocation and the $70,000 set aside for infant formula in the context of SNAP delays.
- Places Ramsey’s action alongside new Hennepin and municipal allocations, showing regional scale of funding responses.
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.