The federal government shutdown is threatening disruptions to numerous vital services, but among the most pressing concerns is a potential pause to funding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning on November 1.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported last week that they’d been instructed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that funds allocated to SNAP may not be disbursed in November. An estimated 1.4 million people in Michigan rely on SNAP benefits each month to help purchase food, with many of those recipients among the most vulnerable populations – about 43 percent of those recipients are families with children and about 36 percent are seniors or people who are disabled, according to MDHHS.
In Genesee County, about 20 percent, or 80,000 people, received SNAP benefits in 2024. Potential cuts to SNAP are also compounded by other factors that increase the need for food locally. Thousands of federal employees have been laid off, including some in Michigan, and a prolonged strike by Henry Ford-Genesys nurses is nearing its second month, stretching budgets for the more than 650 nurses fighting for better pay and working conditions.
Several organizations locally are working to find ways to make sure people in need of food can still access it.
City of Flint and Food Bank Partnership
Flint announced that, should SNAP benefits or federal employee paychecks be suspended on Nov. 1, they are partnering with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to provide eligible residents with two food vouchers per month redeemable for a 30-pound box of food. If implemented, residents would need to show:
- Proof of current SNAP benefits and Flint residency, or
- Proof of federal employment and Flint residency.
If benefits are suspended, the city plans to release more details about picking up vouchers and where to get the food boxes from.
Finding a Pantry
The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan does food distributions in 22 counties Monday-Saturday each week. The Food Bank website has a calendar with times and locations for daily food distributions throughout their service area.
They also supply food to hundreds of churches and community organizations who run their own food pantries. To find a pantry near you, their website has a locator where users can type in their address or zip code and find locations and hours.
People interested in supporting the Food Bank can also make monetary donations through the website. Because of their relationships with grocery chains, farmers, and other partners, the Food Bank is able to stretch cash donations further by buying at wholesale prices – because of this, every dollar donated to the Food Bank can provide up to six meals for people in need.
Well of Hope Mini-Pantries
Well of Hope, a nonprofit organization in Flint that helps residents with basic needs, has four mini food pantries located in or near neighborhoods. Locations are:
- Monteith and Dougherty streets in Mott Park;
- Alma and Martin Luther King avenues near Carpenter Road;
- Myrtle Avenue and Saginaw Street, north of Berston Fieldhouse; and
- 1422 W. Court Street.
Well of Hope accepts cash donations to help stock the pantries through Paypal. People interested in purchasing non-perishable food can also place it directly in the pantries (note – don’t stock expired food in the pantries if you go this route). Well of Hope’s annual Blessed to be a Blessing Thanksgiving dinner for those in need is from 4-6 p.m. on November 25 at the Center for Hope (812 Root Street).
Other Food Sources
Several other organizations and businesses have stepped up to offer help to those who might need it. Here is a list (we will update this as we find more):
- MaMang, located in the Flint Farmers’ Market, is offering free fried rice to anyone in need of a meal.
- Sweet Peaces, located in the Flint Farmers’ Market, is providing soup kits for people in need.
- 810 Munchies, located in the Dort Mall at 3600 Dort Highway, is letting kids eat free through November 26. The restaurant is also providing free turkey dinners while supplies last beginning at 2 p.m. on November 26.
- Tee’s Plentiful Salads, located in the Flint Farmers’ Market, is offering 25 percent off to all SNAP and Bridge Card recipients on November 1.
- Crossover Outreach is accepting non-perishable food donations or cash donations for its food pantry.
- Genesee County Mutual Aid has a “free store” with non-perishables, clothes, and hygiene products open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 1 at Flint Local 432.
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