Food banks brace for surge amid shutdown
By: Keah Douglas
and PJ. Huffstutter
Reuters
WASHINGTON - Cynthia Kirhart, the CEO of Facing Hunger Foodbank in Huntington, West Virgina, has already had to explain to customers this year [2025] why the organization is rationing bags of potatoes.
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The food bank has had to shrink its allotments as higher costs and surging need strain its budget.
..... Now facing the prospect of nearly 200,000 West Virginians missing November's [2025] Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits due to the federal government shutdown, there is little more she can do.
..... "You remove SNAP dollars, and people have no resources," Kirkhart said. "We're in some real trouble."
..... Nine food banks and anti-hunger groups in eight states told Reuters they will struggle to absorb demand if November SNAP benefits are not distributed. The shutdown has prevented Congress from funding SNAP, which reach more than 41 million Americans.
..... Hunger in the U.S. is already on a multi-year rise. The administration of President Donald Trump has cut some federal food bank funding and hiked SNAP work requirements, which could push some people off the program.
..... States warned last week [10/22/2025] that hunger could surge if SNAP benefits lapse. the shutdown also threatens benefits for nearly 7 million participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, infants, and children known as WIC.
.... food banks have already seen record demand in rent years as inflation and the long tail of the COVID-19 pandemic strain household budgets.
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More than 50 million people received food from food banks, pantries and other charitable sources in 2023, compared with roughly 40 million in 2019, according to Feeding America, a national food bank network.
..... Food providers have boosted funding, trimmed hours and pared back offerings to try to keep up. But their role has always been to supplement government aid, not replace it.
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MANNA FoodBank in Mills River, North Carolina, has seen tis highest-ever demand as the community continues to rebuild from the destruction of Hurricane Helene, which also destroyed the group's warehouse, said Claire Neal, the group;s CEO.
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"The reality is, there's not a ton we can do on our own. For every meal we provided, SNAP provides nine. We can't make up the difference, and philanthropy can't replace government support,' Neal said.
..... Some organizations are still hoping to raise funds ahead of a potential November [2025] surge, like the United Way of New York City, which open an emergency fund to funnel money to low-income households if needed, said President and CEO Grace Bonilla.
..... "Those lines (at food banks) are going to get much longer," Bonilla said. "We're just bracing ourselves for the impact."
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Mayors and House Democrats last week [10/23/2025] urged Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to fund November [2025] benefits using a SNAP contingency fund estimated by the Center on Budget and Policy Prioritizes to contain about $5 billion. that amount to 60% of the cost of one month of the benefits.
..... The USDA on October 24 [2025] said it would not tap into the funds and instead would reserve them for natural disasters and other emergencies.
..... In the absence of federal action, some states have stepped in. California and New York said they would send money to food banks. Virginia on October 23 [2025] declared a state of emergency to fund November [2025] benefits.
..... But others have found little option for aiding SNJAP recipients. Alaska's Department of Health website said the agency explore using state money for benefits but found it impossible.