The federal government shutdown that began on October 1 has disrupted the food assistance that nearly 450,000 Minnesotans depend on. As the federal shutdown continues, November SNAP benefits are not being distributed and our community is facing uncertainty. If the shutdown isn’t resolved quickly, families may not receive benefits through the end of the year.
The pressure on food resources has been building for months. Last year, Minnesota saw a record nine million visits to food shelves. At our Montreal Food Market alone, our monthly food budget has more than tripled, just to keep food on the shelves.
Neighborhood House President and CEO Janet Gracia spoke with the Star Tribune and the Minnesota Reformer; as well, Gracia filmed a video that was shared with the Minnesota state legislature. Learn about Neighborhood House’s efforts to meet the moment below:
Star Tribune: How to help Minnesotans in need of food as federal funds dry up during shutdown
By Elliot Hughes and Tyler Church
October 30, 2025 at 6:00AM
As the federal shutdown continues and a cutoff looms for food benefits, Minnesota nonprofits are scrambling to maintain access to food for families and are asking for community members to help.
Benefits for the Supplemental Nutritional Access Program (SNAP) could potentially end Saturday if the shutdown persists, which would affect more than 440,000 low-income Minnesotans, many of whom live in greater Minnesota. Gov. Tim Walz said this week the state will contribute $4 million in food benefits, a stopgap measure that won’t make up for the $73 million in federal funds Minnesota was set to receive in November.
At the same time, federal cuts to the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) have slashed the amount of food shipped to state food shelves. Federal workers have also gone a month without pay, forcing some, like those who work as TSA agents, to turn to food donations.
For many food assistance programs across Minnesota, the end of SNAP funding has caused great concern. Janet Gracia, the chief executive of St. Paul nonprofit Neighborhood House, said any and all community support available is needed.
“This is an all-hands-on-deck emergency,” Gracia said.
Minnesota Reformer: Minnesota SNAP recipients worry about feeding their families as shutdown pauses benefits
By Madison McVan
November 6, 2025 at 6:00AM
[…]
Food shelves already feeling the pressure
At the Neighborhood House food shelf on Montreal Ave. in St. Paul on Tuesday morning, families loaded carts with food and household items. It was much busier than usual.
For the first time since it opened in June of 2024, volunteers turned families away. There wasn’t enough food for everyone.
“We have been anticipating this,” said Janet Gracia, president and CEO of Neighborhood House.
Demand at food shelves had already risen in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to food inflation. Neighborhood House opened up the Montreal Avenue food market — its second location — and doubled the food budget over the year and a half it’s been open.
That was all before the government shutdown and impact on SNAP.
The majority of the people served by Neighborhood House rely on SNAP benefits and have been using the food shelf to supplement their shopping, Gracia said. By early November, some Minnesotans were already missing their November credit; those who get their benefits later in the month may have already run out of their October credit.
Neighborhood House is expanding its hours and making emergency food bags available more frequently to its clients who need help.
“The people that you are seeing in our food markets right now…they already have empty shelves and empty pantries in their home,” Gracia said.
At Neighborhood House, we believe that no one should have to experience food insecurity. We are firmly committed to supporting our neighbors by providing the food they need to thrive through our two free Food Markets and our free Fresh Produce Distribution events.
In hard times, neighbors helping neighbors is not just a shared value. It’s hope in action.
We invite you to support us by making a gift of food or funds today.
