Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announces $4M in emergency funding for food shelves amid shutdown
The federal government shutdown entered its 27th day Monday, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay — and threatening to cut off food assistance for thousands of Minnesotans by the start of November.
In response, Gov. Tim Walz announced $4 million in emergency state funding to support food shelves across Minnesota. The one-time funding aims to fill the gap as federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits are set to end if the shutdown continues.
"This is meant to be a bridge," Walz said during a news conference at the Open Door Pantry in Eagan, Minnesota. "It will not make up and backfill everything that is going to drop off starting on Saturday."
The funds will come from the Department of Human Services' emergency services account and the Family First Prevention Services Act. The state will distribute the money through Minnesota's existing food shelf network. Each food shelf and tribal nation will receive a base amount of $5,000, and additional funding based on local need.
More than 440,000 Minnesotans rely on SNAP, according to state data. Of those, 38% are children and 18% are seniors. Walz said about 9 million visits were made to food shelves statewide last year.
"It is not a privilege to have food — it is a human right," Walz said. "In the most abundant food supply of any country on Earth, it's absolutely unnecessary for people to go hungry."
Open Door Pantry Executive Director Jason Viana said his organization is already serving about 30% more people than last year. The Eagan-based food shelf helps more than 25,000 people each month across Dakota County.
"Before the shutdown began, the need had already grown," Viana said. "We've heard increased concern and anxiety from our families, and we're seeing more families than we have since 2020. This is a time for anyone in our community that cares about our neighbors to take action."
Commissioner Tikki Brown, who heads the Department of Children, Youth and Families, said the state's goal is to get the funds to food shelves by Nov. 4. That's the same time the next round of grocery benefits would typically go out.
"For many Minnesotans, the $6 a day they receive in SNAP is the difference between going hungry or just getting by," Brown said. "This funding won't make up the loss of federal dollars, but it will help food shelves keep up with the surge in need."
Brown expects the majority of the funds to be spent on food purchases.
Walz also directed sharp criticism toward federal lawmakers for failing to reach an agreement.
"It's Day 27, and there doesn't appear to be any sense of urgency out of the folks in D.C.," he said. "As this continues to go on, it will become much more of a crisis."
The governor said the $4 million is a stopgap measure and that the state's ability to continue backfilling lost federal funds is limited without reimbursement from the federal government.
Food shelves already seeing demand rise
Outside Groveland Emergency Food Shelf, SNAP recipient Jamar Merritt says he is already at the end of his October monthly SNAP benefits. His kids, ages 1 and 5, are down to two meals a day.
"I am kind of worried," Merritt said. "I am worried for myself, my family and my community because we depend on these SNAP benefits."
Inside, food shelf recipients loaded up while workers tried to fill empty shelves.
"I have never seen anything like this today," Sharon Abel, director of Groveland Emergency Food Shelf, said. "This will blow our numbers out of the water."
The demand was so great on Monday that the food shelf had to close early.
Several people there said they are on SNAP but also have jobs.
"I don't think people understand you can work but still struggle and still have to be in these places," Adam T. said.
Groveland says the $4 million announced by Walz will help. The Food Group will work to distribute the cash to food shelves around the state.
Food Group Director Sophia Lenarz-Coy said she thinks her organization can get the new aid to 300 food shelves across the state.
"Yeah, I think the goal will be anyone who has access to these grants will have access to this funding," Lenarz-Coy said.
Food shelves say they have no idea what their lines are going to look like later this week. They say if you want to help, donate money, because they can stretch your dollar further to buy food in bulk.