SNAP Benefits Suspension Hits Tri-State Food Banks Hard
Beginning Saturday, November 1, thousands of Hoosiers and millions of Americans are expected to go without access to their monthly SNAP (food stamp) benefits. This interruption is tied to the ongoing federal government shutdown, now one of the longest in U.S. history. While contingency funds do exist for emergencies like this, those funds are not being released.
SNAP Benefit Pause Impacts Thousands of Indiana Families
This all comes on the heels of two major changes earlier this year. There was a reduction in SNAP benefits over the summer, and in March, funding from the USDA, totaling more than $500 million in support previously designated for food pantries nationwide, was cut.
Food Banks Enter Crisis Mode Across the Tri-State
Food banks are already feeling the strain. The Tri-State Food Bank, which serves Evansville and 33 counties across Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, issued a clear warning this week, calling it "crisis mode."
Friends, we're officially in crisis mode… in Vanderburgh alone, more than 20,000 people rely on Supplemental Food Assistance to survive, including 8,000 children. In our 33-county Tri-State service area, that number jumps to around 100,000. That is the instant additional community burden for hunger relief next week. - Tri-State Food Bank
How the SNAP Shutdown Affects the Local Economy
That sudden loss of assistance translates to a roughly $20 million shortfall in the month of November. As the Tri-State Food Bank points out, this is a financial ripple effect that impacts not just vulnerable households but also local grocery stores, workers, and overall economic stability. When SNAP benefits are spent, it has a positive effect on the economy.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that in a weak economy, $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.50 in economic activity. – Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
In Indiana in 2024, 610,700 residents relied on SNAP benefits. It equates to approximately 1 out of 11 of our friends and neighbors. Nearly 70% of those are families with children. More than 38% have older adults or disabled family members, and more than 34% of them are in working families.
Read More: Evansville Little Free Pantry Locations and How to Use Them
How You Can Help or Find Assistance
There is no doubt that the current situation is dire and will have a lasting impact on our communities. If you are in need of assistance or you have the means to donate, now is the time to act. The Tri-State Food Bank is accepting monetary donations at TriStateFoodBank.org.
Evansville Community Resource Guide
Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals
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