United Way launches emergency food relief
Greater Twin Cities United Way announced an Emergency Food Relief Campaign as a federal shutdown threatens or delays November SNAP benefits for roughly 440,000 Minnesotans, with 211 food-related calls up 82%. The nonprofit has already sent $105,000 to partners and Twin Cities cities are mobilizing—Bloomington approved $250,000 in contingency grants and is collecting donations—while major food shelves like The Open Door prepare to expand distributions for an expected surge.
Health
Local Government
📌 Key Facts
- United Way 211 food calls up 82% in recent weeks
- $105,000 already granted to Route 1, The People’s Market, The Food Group
- Bloomington City Council approved $250,000 in contingency grants Oct. 27
- The Open Door serves 22,000/month; ~10,000 Dakota County residents could lose assistance
- Bloomington impact: ~6,000 on SNAP/MFIP; 1,700 on WIC; >200 infants receive formula
📚 Contextual Background
- In Bloomington, about 6,000 residents depend on SNAP or the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), and about 1,700 residents rely on the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program.
- 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.