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.
Back to Illinois & Iowa:
Local food banks have already been hit hard by changes to #SNAP and USDA food shipment cuts (that #trump ordered earlier in the year). In addition, local food banks cannot purchase more food to meet increasing demand during the #GovernmentShutdown.
40🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
WQAD News 8 report (Quad cities)
from 15 October 2025
c/o YT
This is Delaware:
As the #GovernmentShutdown continues, food banks that saw increased demand this past year are preparing for more, esp. as federal employees now go without pay.
“It’s worrisome…so many individuals are just barely getting by. I don’t know that anyone could plan for not having a paycheck,” said one food bank rep.
Food banks have also been challenged by canceled #USDA food shipments ordered by #Trump earlier this year.
The Native American community is also affected by the #GovernmentShutdown & federal spending cuts.
They brace for ~”damage to health care, education, infrastructure & other services funded by the #USA under treaties struck more than a century ago.” They also fear that the #Trump admin “would use the shutdown to lay off federal workers responsible for ensuring that trust and treaty responsibilities are honored.“
41a (interlude)🧵
#USpol #FoodInsecurity #NativeAmericans
—
https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-native-americans-services-e70167fd8306097709bddfa7ded55474
Native Americans watched the shuttered government on Friday and braced for damage to their health care, education and infrastructure. Those services are funded by Washington under treaties struck more than a century ago. Tribal nations with casinos, oil and gas leases said they expect to be immune for several months. But tribes dependent on government money were already furloughing workers. And many tribal leaders said they feared the Trump administration would use the shutdown to permanently shutter Indian services. President Donald Trump and his former adviser Elon Musk this year called on the General Services Administration to start terminating leases held by the nation’s 7,500-odd federal offices, including 25 regional offices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Tribal communities are already affected by the #GovernmentShutdown —
1) Healthcare:
Some have had to suspend telehealth services, which are important for tribal elders, especially in ultra-rural communities.
2) Food:
The entire ‘Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations’ (of #USDA) is furloughed. One director worries that if the shutdown lingers, families will go without some food.
~~
41b (interlude cont.)🧵
#USA #USpol #US #FoodInsecurity #NativeAmericans
—
https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/10/10/why-the-shutdown-hits-indian-country-particularly-hard
Now back to each state.
This is Hawaii (again):
Hawaii Foodbank prepares for increased demand due to the #GovernmentShutdown —
It serves >160,000 households monthly & may add 60,000-80,000 more, incl. federal civilian & military families.
This comes at a time of significant stress from rising food prices & cuts to programs like #SNAP
👉 1 in 3 Hawaiians face food insecrity.
42🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.kitv.com/news/business/hawaii-foodbank-preparing-for-increase-in-demand-from-federal-government-shutdown-impacts/article_2b1cb190-bb23-4ba7-881f-d85b6269374c.html
—
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/10/11/hawaii-foodbank-prepares-growing-need-amid-government-shutdown/
—
https://hawaiifoodbank.org/blog/2025/10/01/a-government-shutdown-will-strain-families-and-food-banks/
I’m back working on this thread 🧵
A lot of stuff has happened over the last week or so.
—
Before I get back to highlighting the effects of food insecurity in each state (11 more to go), this is today’s news:
~Judge orders administration to distribute SNAP contingency money amid shutdown:
Another judge has ruled that the suspension of SNAP funding is "unlawful."~
This is Pennsylvania:
“Supply is not keeping up with demand,’ said the executive director of one food bank. “On average, we would serve about 50 families a day & we're seeing anywhere from 50-120 families a day.”
With demand increasing amid the #GovernmentShutdown, every donation helps. But the threat to #SNAP may be unbearable.
“For every meal a food bank gives, SNAP provides nine. That's the capacity that we're losing here.”
44🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
This is Connecticut:
The largest food bank network is bracing for what could be its toughest challenge yet as threats to #SNAP funding amid the #GovernmentShutdowm might “cut off aid to 360,000 families across the state.”
"We're staring down the barrel of a disaster,” said its president.
The nonprofit was already seeing a 15% demand increase from Oct. 2024, as civil servants go w/o paychecks & grocery prices continue to rise.
45🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.aol.com/news/disaster-cts-largest-food-bank-213444177.html
This is Arizona:
~ 9 out of 10 counties w/ the highest food insecurity rates are rural. With the #GovernmenrShutdown & #SNAP benefits potentially being suspended, Flagstaff Family Food Center is working to feed people across Northern Arizona.
Recently, volunteers like Maria Martell have noticed increased demand.
“Doing like 150 cars a couple of years ago. Now we’re doing 270….almost at 300 cars, on a Tuesday…so many people in need.”
46🧵
#USA #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.azfamily.com/2025/10/29/flagstaff-food-bank-helps-rural-arizonans-amid-government-shutdown/
And in the news again—
A U.S. District Judge in Boston ruled the #Trump administration has until Monday to decide whether to pay at least partial #SNAP food benefits.
Judge Talwani “declined to issue a temporary restraining order to force the administration to act before the funds run out tomorrow, finding that resuming payments at some point can still avoid irreparable harm to SNAP recipients.”
47🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.npr.org/2025/10/31/nx-s1-5592366/snap-food-benefits-judge-trump-administration-usda-wic
This is New York:
Food pantries brace for a “surge” with ~3 million at risk of losing #SNAP benefits...
“Gov. Hochul declared a state of emergency & said NY will not let people go hungry due to the federal #GovernmentShutdown.
Food banks had already seen more demand amid increasing grocery prices & previous food aid cuts.
~”It's a cost-of-living crisis people have...(they) just don't make enough money,” said one food bank director.
48🧵
#USA #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/snap-benefits-new-york-food-pantries-government-shutdown/
~11 MILLION people in 14 central #US states could lose #SNAP benefits amid the continuing federal #GovernmentShutdown.
The director of one food group spoke of the loss of benefits’ “ripple effects” on local economies, school attendance & chronic disease.
Food banks had already seen more demand in the past few years, & SNAP provides 9 meals for every 1 from food bank donations, mostly to children, the elderly, & those w/ disabilities.
This is Wisconsin:
On a typical night, ~300 people go to Feed My People food bank’s distribution in Eau Claire.
This past Monday, 464 people came— “a more than 50% increase.” 👀
~”Food service providers across Wisconsin have felt a squeeze in recent months, as household costs have increased & federal programs for the needy have been canceled.”
They now brace for more demand w/ threats to #SNAP amid the #GovernmentShutdown.
50🧵
#USA #USpol #FoodInsecurity #WIC
—
https://www.wpr.org/news/wisconsin-food-banks-brace-end-snap-shutdown
Food service providers across Wisconsin say they’ve felt a squeeze in recent months, as household costs have increased and federal programs for the needy have been canceled. Now, with the prospect of a pause in federal food assistance looming, they’re bracing for an acute spike in need.
This is Montana:
~77,000 residents will be cut from their #SNAP benefits soon amid the #GovernmentShutdown.
Food banks that have already seen increased demand are bracing for more and asking for donations.
Said one nonprofit leader, “It's all coming at the busiest time of year…Furloughs are happening, the government layoffs & no paychecks… (a) perfect storm of things happening at the worst time of year.”
Back to Washington DC again:
~ Federal workers flock to D.C. food bank as they miss first full paycheck of shutdown:
Whether working or not, most federal employees have not been paid. “People are living from paycheck to paycheck, trying to figure out how to feed themselves” ~
52🧵
#USA #US #USpol #USpolitics #prices #FoodPrices #inflation #FoodBanks #hunger #FoodInsecurity #GovernmentShutdown
—
This is Indiana:
“Gleaners Food Bank is ramping up operations to meet a looming surge in food insecurity as the federal #GovernmentShutdown threatens #SNAP benefits for hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers.
"’With food insecurity at its highest rates in a decade, this SNAP cutoff will likely plunge hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers deeper into food insecurity,’ said Fred Glass, Gleaners President & CEO.”
53🧵
#USA #USpol #USpolitics #prices #FoodInsecurity #WIC #hunger
—
https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/gleaners-food-bank-steps-up-as-snap-benefits-cutoff
This is also Indiana:
~”Philanthropic organizations & an anonymous donor pooled $1 million to launch a food aid fund…with federal #SNAP benefits for low-income Americans set to run dry Nov. 1 amid a #GovernmentShutdown.”
“Philanthropy alone cannot fill this gap,” said Fred Payne of United Way of Central Indiana, “But we are calling on our community right now to…support our food banks & help our neighbors in need.”
53a🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity #philanthropy
—
https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/briefs/1m-food-relief-fund-launched-as-snap-suspension-looms/
This is Vermont:
Vermont will cover #SNAP benefits for 2 weeks during the federal #GovernmentShutdown —
The 65,000 Vermonters who have SNAP — most who are older individuals, families w/ children & people w/ disabilities — will not receive all of their benefits right away.
The Vermont state gov’t will also pay to maintain the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, “which provides home heating fuel to roughly 13,000 residents.”
This is also Vermont:
~”Demand at local food shelves grows amid uncertainty for Vermonters receiving federal food #SNAP benefits. Some… are reporting single-day records of people trying to put food on the table.”
Food banks report they are taking measures to ensure food will last as long as possible. For example, some ration how much they put out each day while others limit who can come in for food & when.
This is Rhode Island:
The governor has directed ~$6 million in state funding to partially offset the loss of food benefits for some families with children. However, it is only a temporary and partial fix.
Leaders of RI Community Food Bank speak of a “perfect storm” of increasing food bank demand amid higher food prices, lower government food benefits, and the threat to #SNAP and #WIC amid the ongoing federal #GovernmentShutdown.
55🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
This is Idaho:
Food banks see an influx of demand as #GovernmentShutdown continues~
One saw increased demand of ~30% in one week!
The shutdown uncertainty & loss of federal worker pay coupled with the threat to #SNAP & #WIC food benefits amid rising food prices have increased people’s needs.
Nonprofits seek donations: Food, money & volunteer time.
56🧵
#USA #US #USpol #inflation #FoodInsecurity
—
Quite the video below 👀
This is all so heart-wrenching.
#MyThoughts
—
https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/health/idaho-food-banks-pantries-see-influx-demand-government-shutdown-continues/277-ea64280b-f4a2-46b9-b41d-080d2a97d9f0
This is Minnesota:
With the ongoing federal #GovernmentShutdown, more than 400,000 Minnesotans will lose their #SNAP food benefits at a time of increasing food bank demand.
Though federal judges ruled that the #Trump admin must release funding, it’s uncertain how much will come & when.
To help, Gov. Walz released $4 million in state funding, less than 6% of the state’s November federal SNAP benefits.
57🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.startribune.com/snap-food-benefit-freeze-minnesota-food-shelves/601499909
—
https://www.fox9.com/news/food-banks-meal-kitchens-brace-impact-food-benefits-set-stop
And finally…
This is New Hampshire:
State lawmakers approved $2 million in emergency funding to partner with the NH Food Bank and “create a series of mobile food pantries throughout the state.”
Though it will help, it’s a small fraction of the $12.6 million in federal #SNAP benefits the state receives monthly.
The NH Food Bank serves ~100,000. ~3/4 receive SNAP, and of those, 1/3 (~25,000) are children.
58🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
https://www.wmur.com/article/nh-food-bank-cuts-1025/69155503
—
https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/10/30/lawmakers-and-councilors-approve-plan-to-fund-mobile-food-pantries-as-snap-set-to-pause/
That concludes my brief food insecurity tour of every state of the #US (& more).
Food banks around the #USA already faced increasing demand BEFORE the #GovernmentShutdown due to ever-increasing grocery prices combined w/ Trump’s USDA food-aid cuts & his spending bill’s changes to #SNAP earlier in the year.
Now the shutdown increases food bank demand w/ over 1 million federal workers without pay & threats to #SNAP & #WIC food benefits.
59a🧵
#USpol
—
https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/30/politics/food-banks-snap-funding-shutdown
“On Friday, two federal judges ordered the #Trump administration to use emergency funding to provide #SNAP benefits. But it was unclear how much assistance may be provided or when it might come.”
The “perfect storm” of circumstances —at a time when food bank demand was ALREADY increased— has ~”placed immense pressure on food banks & pantries across the country to fill in and provide much needed supplies for hungry families.”
59b🧵
#USA #US #USpol #FoodInsecurity
—
ˈdälfən™🐬 💥 🌊
epicdemiologist