Federal Shutdown Threatens Food Security for our Neighbors—Community Urged to Act to Fund SNAP

[Lake Leelanau, MI] — Because of the government shutdown, millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) saw their food assistance cut on November 1, 2025.

According to Michigan.gov, SNAP supports more than 40 million Americans, including approximately 13% of Michigan households who receive SNAP benefits. That’s about 1.4 million people, nearly 800 of whom are in Leelanau County. SNAP recipients have low incomes and most care for children and elders or are people with disabilities. When benefits are reduced or delayed, the effects ripple through communities like ours—from food banks to schools to small local grocers.

Without a spending agreement, the USDA can’t guarantee SNAP payments beyond November 1, 2025.

The federal government currently holds a budget reserve that could be used to stabilize programs like SNAP during a shutdown. As recently as September, the USDA shutdown plan indicated that reserves would be used to fund SNAP.  However, the administration has chosen to not draw from that reserve, meaning no emergency funds will cover the lapse.

This decision adds to the long-standing presence of food insecurity within Leelanau County and leaves families and the disabled even more vulnerable at a time when grocery prices remain high.

A federal court in Rhode Island on Saturday, November 1, ordered the Trump administration to make full food aid benefit payments. Per Reuters, The Trump administration has not complied and is considering sending payments that will be half of what recipients received before the shutdown.

Our neighbors are feeling the impact. According to 9 & 10 News, Rachael Cougler, coordinator for the Northwest Michigan Food Coalition, says that while food pantry visits were seeing a rise even before the lapse in benefits, there has been a drastic increase of 20-35% among most of their sites.

What can you do?

Please consider donating money or time to the food bank of your choice.

In addition, one of the most effective ways to insure that our neighbors don’t go hungry is to contact your elected representatives and urge them to:

• Use available reserve funds to protect SNAP recipients 

• Take action to end the impasse in order to protect the wellbeing of Americans.

You must write your representatives in your own name and not mention LWV. You can reach your members of Congress easily here: https://www.lwvleelanau.org/contact-your-legislators

Your email or phone message can be as simple as saying:  

“I’m concerned about how the shutdown is delaying SNAP benefits. Please support using available reserve funds to keep benefits going. And I urge you to negotiate to end the federal shutdown.”

The League of Women Voters is a national, political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in their government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.  The League is non-partisan and as an organization does not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties. Learn more about the LWV Leelanau County by going to its new website at www.lwvleelanau.org.