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 — a pause that would forgo about $73 million in benefits and affect more than 440,000 residents while also jeopardizing WIC, preschool aid and some federal pay. Officials and nonprofits say the one‑time allocation is a limited stopgap compared with Minnesota’s monthly SNAP spending, and food shelves (many preparing for large client surges, e.g., Open Door Pantry) and emergency distributions are mobilizing even as advocates pursue federal contingency funds and warn broader community support will be needed.
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📌 Key Facts
- Gov. Tim Walz has formally directed $4 million in emergency funding to Minnesota food shelves this week as a stopgap against an expected November 1 disruption to SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown.
- The $4 million allocation is small relative to Minnesota’s normal SNAP spending—about $73 million expected for November—and cannot fully replace lost federal benefits for more than 440,000 affected residents.
- Officials warned federal food benefits and preschool aid would begin running dry if the shutdown continues, creating urgent shortfalls for households and programs starting this weekend.
- Food-shelf leaders and The Food Group say food shelves alone cannot bridge the gap; many pantries prefer monetary donations for flexibility, and Keystone Community Services recommended roughly $5,000 as a base per pantry with additional funds based on people served.
- On-the-ground responses include Open Door Pantry in Eagan preparing for up to 500 additional families, weekly emergency food-box distributions at MSP Terminal 1 for unpaid federal workers (including TSA), and some businesses offering free food.
- SNAP has paused approval of new applications until the shutdown ends.
- WIC serves roughly 100,000 Minnesotans (about 40% of newborns), but added state or emergency funds would only sustain WIC services through about mid‑November.
- Minnesota officials, including Attorney General Keith Ellison, have joined a 23–state effort to seek access to USDA contingency funds that the federal agency has refused to deploy.
📚 Contextual Background
- A 2019 law requires furloughed federal employees to receive back pay after a government shutdown ends.
- 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.
📰 Sources (7)
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.
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.