Food banks are stepping in amid the pain of the federal government shutdown.
Local businesses and restaurants are also trying to help.
👉 A thread 🧵
#USA #US #USpolitics #USpol #FoodInsecurity #hunger #SNAP #WIC #GovernmentShutdown
—
This is Washington DC:
This is California:
The Alameda County Community Food Bank is stepping in to support federal workers impacted by the ongoing government shutdown.
After their Thursday morning shift, TSA employees at the Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport picked up food provided by the Alameda County Community Food Bank. 👀
As federal workers navigate life with no paycheck in sight, the Food Bank is seeing an increased need.
2🧵
This is Iowa:
The River Bend Food Bank braces for greater demand as the federal #GovernmentShutdown stretches on.
Food bank leaders say “even short-term shutdowns create uncertainty for thousands of people who depend on federal programs & steady paychecks.
“Families, federal employees & even those serving in the military may suddenly be forced to stretch their budgets, not knowing when their next paycheck or food benefits will arrive.”
3🧵
https://www.kwqc.com/2025/10/06/how-food-banks-snap-benefits-are-impacted-by-government-shutdown/
This is Illinois & Iowa:
Food Banks are brace for impacts of potential cuts to federal funding & an increase in furloughed or laid off federal workers needing assistance.
Soup kitchens say they “went from serving 600 meals a day to about 1,000 a day over the last six months.” 👀
“An Eastern Illinois Foodbank spokesperson says… they are serving twice as many people now as compared to 2022.” 👀
4🧵
#USA #US #USpolitics #GovernmentShutdown
—
https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/how-the-government-shutdown-is-affecting-iowa-and-illinois-food-banks/
This is Colorado:
Food banks were already strained by the #Trump admin’s changes to USDA food programs which left them with 25% less food & a gap of 14,000 meals per day.
And increases in food & housing prices have led to the greatest hunger demand in 10 years 👀 (BEFORE the shutdown).
Now faced with the uncertainty of the #GovernmentShutdown & bracing for the influx of federal workers, food banks are rationing provisions & asking for help.
5🧵
#USA #US #USpolitics
—
https://www.koaa.com/news/local-news/government-shutdown-giving-already-strained-colorado-food-banks-more-uncertainty
This is Tennessee (TN):
“Those working a variety of federal jobs are furloughed or working without pay.
In fact, Nashville International Airport had to scale back operations last week due to a lack of air traffic controllers👈
“Now, food banks in Middle TN are working to keep food on the tables. As the shutdown continues, both One Generation Away & Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN are asking for donations.”
6🧵
#USA #USpol #FoodInsecurity #GovernmentShutdown
—
https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/middle-tennessee-food-banks-see-increase-in-demand-due-to-government-shutdown/
This is Louisiana:
Second Harvest seeks donations as it sees longer lines at distribution centers, meal sites & pantries.
The food bank already struggles to meet high demand and fears the demand may worsen now that federal workers may start using its services…
Second Harvest receives less federal government funding than at the start of 2025, making it a real challenge to address the community’s needs. 👀
7🧵
#USA #US #USpolitics #FoodInsecurity #GovernmentShutdown
—
https://www.wdsu.com/article/second-harvest-food-bank-donations-government-shutdown/69048610
This is Florida:
Treasure Coast Food Bank is ~”seeing federal workers, incl. IRS employees, postal workers & airport personnel seeking food assistance.”
The food bank serves more than 250,000 people a week throughout several counties.
Since the #GovernmentShutdown, it has seen an uptick of people in need.
"Everybody knows somebody that's been touched by the shutdown or a program that's been cut," the non-profit’s CEO said.
8🧵
#USA #US #USpolitics #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-government-shutdown-food-bank-assistance/69034087
This is Kansas:
Thousands who rely on food assistance “could experience delays or even a pause to their benefits” like they did during the 2019 government shutdown.
According to USDA data in May, 186,000 Kansans received SNAP benefits at a cost of nearly $33 million.
“We’re a community and we all have to help each other out,” said the director of Kansas State University’s Harvey County Extension Office.
9🧵
This is Georgia:
Local organizations like Golden Harvest Food Bank say they “have not seen these levels of hunger in more than a decade” & the #GovernmentShutdown has only increased community need.
“When people hear the words government shutdown, they become scared…People are working hard. We have families, working families that receive government assistance because their paycheck doesn’t stretch far enough…”
10🧵
https://www.wrdw.com/2025/10/16/golden-harvest-sees-increased-demand-wic-funding-faces-uncertainty/
This is Arkansas:
“The Little Rock community has come together to help TSA employees continue to work through the government shutdown.
“TSA agents…make sure you make it to your flight safe and sound” (and are working without pay).
&
“The Arkansas Food Bank will host a food distribution event at Clinton National Airport to support federal employees impacted by the government shutdown.”
11🧵
#USA #US #USpolitics #USpol #FoodInsecurity #GovernmentShutdown
—
This is Hawaii:
Bank of Hawaii is offering emergency financial relief programs to support qualifying federal employees & contractors facing income disruption from the ongoing federal #GovernmentShutdown.
“Those impacted by the shutdown can get up to a $5,000 loan for a 24-month term at a 5% fixed interest or 5% APR…”
“We recognize how stressful the shutdown is for federal workers & their families in our community,” said the bank’s CEO.
12🧵
This is New Mexico:
Volunteers at the Saint Felix Food Pantry “served 200 people in three hours, and they worry that as time goes on, demand will rise and they will have to give less food to more people.”
One furloughed federal worker “came in (with) young children and said, '…I got my last paycheck last week…What do I do now?'”
13🧵
#USA #US #USpolitics #FoodInsecurity
—
As the #GovernmentShutdown threatens #SNAP benefits, food pantry volunteers call for donations…
This is Utah:
Inflation, higher demand & the threat of a longer #GovernmentShutdown is stressing local food pantries.
“We’re stretching…donations already, but if we have to serve significantly more people, we will have to…scrape together more donations to meet the demand,” said one large food pantry director.
“Major federal food programs could run out of money & food pantries expect to see federal workers showing up soon.”
14🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/local-food-pantries-increased-demand-shutdown/
This is Virginia:
Food banks prepare for more demand during #GovernmentShutdown as hunger crisis grows.
Capital Area Food Bank said “the hunger crisis in the (Arlington/DC) region is already persisting & deepening,” w/ 37% of the population now considered food insecure. 👀
And as of Oct 1, ~41% of laid-off federal workers are food insecure. Missing a paycheck can quickly move one from financial stability to financial strain.
15🧵
This is Michigan:
Feeding America West Michigan prepares for increased demand as #GovernmentShutdown continues:
Uncertainty surrounding federal food assistance programs and the influx of federal employees missing paychecks is leading to an increase in demand as government shutdown affects local food banks~
Said the food bank CEO, “In terms of our food availability and inventory, I think we’re probably pretty good for another month…”
16🧵
This is Washington (state):
Several food drives took place on Wednesday to support active service members facing financial constraints during the ongoing #GovernmentShutdown.
Some service members have not received pay this month & others only got partial pay.
The community’s need “has been steadily growing, even without the shutdown. 👀 The cost of everything continues to inch up,” said a Second Harvest food bank rep.
17🧵
This is South Carolina:
As the #GovernmentShutdown continues & grocery prices remain high, food banks say the need for assistance has never been greater.
Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach said the number of families seeking food assistance has nearly doubled in the past year. 👀
“According to Feeding America, Horry County’s food insecurity rate is 14.5%, (so) roughly 56,000 residents may not know where their next meal is coming from.” 👀
18🧵
This is Maine:
The ripple effects of the #GovernmentShutdown are reaching far beyond closed offices and surfacing at Maine’s food banks & pantries.
“At Good Shepherd Food Bank…pallets of food flow through constantly, supplying nearly 600 partner pantries around the state. Yet leaders say this year's (federal) funding cuts (and the) ongoing shutdown are pushing operations to the brink.”
About 1 in 7 Mainers face food insecurity 👀
19🧵
This is Massachusetts:
#GovernmentShutdown creating uncertainly for food pantries~
The executive director of the Food Bank of Western MA, (said) approximately 25% of their food supply comes from the federal government 👀 but, luckily, as of Oct. 2, they had enough supply for the next 3 months (bc of donations).
However, the uncertainty around a prolonged government shutdown is causing concern for food pantries everywhere.
20🧵
#USA #US #USpolitics #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.westernmassnews.com/2025/10/02/government-shutdown-creating-uncertainly-food-pantries/
This is Mississipi:
Long Beach Community Food Pantry volunteer Mark Collins said the pantry has been working overtime & low-income families are worried they won’t get #SNAP benefits if the federal #GovernmentShutdwn extends into November.
The pantry is running low on fruits, canned goods, and many other items.
“Shelves are getting very bare,” Collins said, stressing the continued need for donations.
21🧵
This is North Carolina:
‘They are facing uncertainty’: Triad food bank on government shutdown impact on low-income families, federal workers (of which there are ~7,000 in the 3-city Piedmont Triad area alone)~
“Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC warns that local families relying on federal food assistance may face further disruptions to their benefits.”
22🧵
#USA #US #USgov #USpol #FoodInsecurity #SNAP #GovernmentShutdown
—
https://www.wxii12.com/article/second-harvest-food-bank-government-shutdown-impact/68157345
This is Maryland:
Maryland Food Bank ramps up aid to brace for surge in need during government shutdown ~
According to Wallerstedt of Maryland Food Bank, 1 in 3 (33%) Maryland families were experiencing food insecurity before the shutdown 👀
“With the potential loss of WIC and SNAP benefits, plus the lost income for federal workers, she wants people to know they have support.”
23🧵
#USA #US #USgov #USpol #FoodInsecurity #SNAP #GovernmentShutdown
—
https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/maryland-government-shutdown-impact/
The closure of National Parks and landmarks is just one inconvenient way Baltimore is feeling the impacts of the government shutdown. For others, the impacts are much more concerning.
This is Ohio:
Food pantries facing critical, growing need as shutdown leads to less available aid~
The Mid-Ohio Collective, which collaborates w/ ~600 food pantries across the state, reports a reduction of 5 million pounds of food 👀 due to the ongoing gov’t shutdown.”
Rural areas “face unique challenges including a lack of grocery stores & increased travel times for residents” w/ transportation challenges.
24🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity #GovernmentShutdown
—
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/food-pantries-facing-critical-growing-210540806.html
This is Nevada:
“As the government shutdown enters its 16th day, Nevada families are increasingly turning to food pantries for assistance, creating unprecedented demand at local organizations already struggling with funding delays.”
Lutheran Social Services warns that its food pantry might have to close as federal funding remains delayed during 16-day government shutdown.
25🧵
This is North Dakota:
Food pantries & non-profits face the pressure of cold weather, new ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ SNAP cuts & the #GovernmentShutdown increasing food pantry demand.
One pantry saw ~15% demand increase so far this month compared to last year & expects November to be tougher.
The organization also sees a notable increase in demand for coats, likely because families have less money to spend on cold-weather gear.
26🧵
This is Nebraska:
'Meet their needs and give them hope': Omaha nonprofit steps up for people impacted by the #GovernmentShutdown ~
"’We would appreciate anyone dropping off food items,’ Soulifou (the non-profit’s CEO) said. ‘Or having your local church or business or organization host a food drive for us.’”
Soulifou also said, “We want to give hope to people, meet their needs and give them hope."
27🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-nonprofit-helps-people-impacted-government-shutdown/68818704
This is Texas:
Government shutdown threatens food security for thousands in West Central Texas~
-and-
As government shutdown continues, East Texas food pantries see increased clientele~
“We had 29 new families needing food that signed up last week,” said the food pantry coordinator of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Flint.
28🧵
This is Alabama:
The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama is preparing to support those affected by the #GovernmentShutdown, which has led to increased demand for food assistance~
Changes to #WIC & #SNAP benefits for millions of Americans “has heightened the need for food banks nationwide.”
“According to the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, 1 in 7 people received SNAP benefits in Alabama last year.” 👀
29🧵
#USA #US #USpol #hunger #FoodInsecurity #FoodBanks
—
https://www.wvtm13.com/article/government-shutdown-impacts-food-bank-demand-in-alabama/68160581
This is Oklahoma:
“As the shutdown continues, many federal employees, active-duty military members and people who work for a federal contractor are at risk of not receiving their expected paychecks. Food banks and meal programs will likely face increased demand on top of the sustained high need since the pandemic and the added strain of recent cuts to #SNAP and #Medicaid.”
30🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity #GovernmentShutdown
—
https://www.regionalfoodbank.org/regional-food-bank-of-oklahoma-statement-on-government-shutdown/
This is also Oklahoma:
“Food insecurity has been a critical issue in Oklahoma. The number of people experiencing hunger rose to 16.7% in 2024 from 14.1% (in 2023), a 18.4% increase, according to data provided by the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma…”
According to that organization, the #US averaged 13.5% in people experiencing hunger in 2024.
30a🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
Suspended shipments, federal spending cuts hit Oklahoma food banks
(from 29 March 2025)
This is Wyoming:
#GovernmentShutdown leaves community members hungry~
As furloughed government workers missing paychecks can’t buy food, the Need, Inc. food pantry is at an all-time client high of about 2,000 residents per week while the facility has a scarcity of resources.
The Executive Director said, "Unless we get significant (community) support…our clients are going to see a reduction in what they're getting from us.”
31🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
This is also Wyoming:
The Wyoming DFS says that “due to the federal #GovernmentShutdown, SNAP beneficiaries will not be issued their November food benefits until federal funding is restored.”
In the last fiscal year, #SNAP served an average 28,364 people per month. (44% ages 17 & under, 13% elderly).
The DFS director said that the uncertainty abt future SNAP payments may create hardship & DFS wants to give people “time to prepare.”
31a🧵
#USA #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
Before I get back to the tour of the #US states—
Here is an article about how the #GovernmentShutdown and federal funding cuts (like to #SNAP ) affect people across the country—
~The federal government is still shut down. Here's what that means across the country (from October 16)~
31b (interlude)🧵
#USA #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.npr.org/2025/10/15/nx-s1-5575134/government-shutdown
This is South Dakota:
“The Faith Temple Food Giveaway is seeing an increase in people reaching out about its program,” incl. furloughed federal workers.
The food bank expects more people at its future giveaways if the #GovernmentShutdown stretches on.
-AND-
“We're stretched too thin to absorb #SNAP cuts” (from July 23, right after Trump signed his ‘beautiful’ spending bill, OBBB, into law)
32🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity #USDA #OBBB
—
https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/food-organizations-on-impacts-of-government-shutdown/amp/
—
This is West Virginia:
As the federal workers feel the impact of not being paid, community food pantries step into help, but also express challenges.
One director said that even before the #GovernmentShutdown, the cost of living was greatly impacting nonprofits. Her kitchen may not be able to serve coffee because it’s so expensive.
Another director said it’s more difficult to operate nonprofits with limited access to necessary funds.
33🧵
#US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
This is Maryland (again):
Food banks are “getting ready for a surge in demand, including a Howard County food bank, where officials say 11% of employed residents and their families are directly impacted” by the #GovernmentShutdown.
“Workers are feeling similar impacts whether they were sent home on furlough or deemed essential & required to work without pay.”
👉 Americans, including federal workers, are living paycheck-to-paycheck.
This is also Maryland:
'Strictly buying food right now': Maryland families face uncertainty as shutdown continues~
34a🧵
#USA #USpol #FoodInsecurity #GovernmentShutdown
—
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/maryland-families-uncertainty-government-shutdown-continues/68936145
This is Kentucky (KY):
With no end in sight for the #GovernmentShutdown, some in Louisville are turning to food banks for the first time.
Sister Visitor Center food pantry is stepping up to take care families left without paychecks until the stalemate in Washington, D.C. ends. Its emergency assistance program & pantry offers food & financial assistance to local residents in need. It even has a pet food pantry.
This is also Kentucky (KY):
A federal #GovernmentShutdown impacts everything from food pantries to the services the local health department provides to the public.
-AND-
There are ~280,000 people facing food insecurity in central & eastern KY, an all-time high, and federal workers could be added to that list. 👀
“We are going to need more food… more financial support from our gracious, generous donors,” one food bank CEO said.
35a🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.wkyt.com/2025/10/01/government-shutdown-impacts-ky-organizations/
This is New Jersey (NJ):
Food banks have had increased demand for their services over the past several years.
In the state:
• 1 in 9 people (overall) face hunger
• 1 in 7 children face hunger
👀👀👀
~~
Now food banks face ADDITIONAL challenges & increased demand during the #GovernmentShutdown —
One leader said, “the longer a shutdown goes on, the more risk of harm there is to people who are living paycheck-to-paycheck.” 👈
36🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
This is Oregon:
Food banks were already seeing substantial rising demand for their services before the #GovernmentShutdown due to ever increasing costs of living.
They will now see MORE demand as tens of thousands of federal workers in the area go without pay just as the public begins to feel the effects of changes to programs like #SNAP from Trump’s ‘beautiful’ spending bill.
37🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.opb.org/article/2024/12/20/oregon-hunger-food-banks-potential-government-shutdown/
—
https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/posts/federal-cuts-to-snap-and-medicaid-will-deepen-hunger-in-oregon
—
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/25/federal-government-shutdown-oregon-southwest-washington/
The Oregon Food Bank is anticipating an increase in people visiting free food sites if the government shuts down. The potential shutdown comes at a dire moment: 2.5 million people visited free food sites in Oregon and southwest Washington last year, a 31% increase from the year before.
This is also Oregon:
Food pantries must rely on volunteer teams, food drives & community donations to keep up with the rising demand for their services.
But they stress that their doors are open to those facing food insecurity.
Said the executive director of one Oregon food pantry, “If you live in our local community and you are experiencing food insecurity, whether it’s today, tomorrow, a month from now, please come and visit us.”
37a🧵
#USA #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
This is Alaska:
“As a #GovernmentShutdown continues to create financial stress for many Alaskans, concerns are mounting among furloughed workers who may not receive back pay for their time off” (as required by law).
“Alaska 211… is stepping up to provide resources & assistance…”
~”specialists… (are available to help) with basic needs (like) food pantries, health care services, mental health counseling, job training & more.”
38🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
This is also Alaska:
Demand for food pantry & other assistance services are increasing as ~12,000 federal workers are going without paychecks.
Threats to the funding of #WIC — a crucial federal program that feeds hungry women, infants & children and
a #Project2025 target— is also creating Alaskans stress.
A statewide ‘Alaska 211’ program is in effect to help the state’s people.
38a🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/10/01/what-government-shutdown-means-alaskans
—
https://www.opb.org/article/2025/10/01/here-s-what-will-be-affected-by-the-government-shutdown/
—
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/10/10/government-shutdown-alaskas-14000-wic-families-receive-funding-through-october-murkowskis-office-confirms
This is Missouri:
#SNAP benefits in jeopardy as food pantries brace for surge~
Food pantries like ‘Circle of Concern’ have recently seen “a steady stream of families looking for help.” 👀
And when 1 in 5 children in Ozarks Food Harvest’s service area face hunger, “any missed paycheck or prolonged shutdown could mean families, federal workers & seniors face impossible choices they never expected to make.”
39🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/snap-benefits-in-jeopardy-as-food-pantries-brace-for-surge/
—
https://www.ky3.com/2025/10/17/ozarks-food-harvest-provides-emergency-food-assistance-during-federal-shutdown/
This is also Missouri (& Kansas):
Tens of thousands of federal gov’t workers are not getting a paycheck in the area & #Trump has threatened not to pay them (as required by law).
Stronghold Food Pantry has already seen demand increase 300% in the first 10 days of October. 👀
And Harvesters (food bank) expects a major demand increase at a time when food insecurity is already up more than 10% from last year. 👀
As the shutdown of the federal government stretches into its third week, employees are starting to feel the financial strain of being furloughed or working without pay. Many federal workers live paycheck to paycheck, and food assistance programs in the region are starting to prepare for an influx of need.
@dalfen I live in Omaha and can confirm.
Our church partners with an organization that helps refugees, and that includes a weekly food pantry. The suppliers see increased need and lower donations… and that was before SNAP expired. What was a once weekly trip for food is every other week and half the amount
ˈdälfən™🐬 💥 🌊
Mike Hostetler