The state of Michigan is sending $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan as more than one million residents face a pause in federal food assistance payments.
Gov. Whitmer announced the funding as the U.S. government shutdown carries on, with SNAP funding set to stop on Nov. 1.
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The state says funding will help feed Michiganders in all 83 counties and provide food delivery to those who can’t drive to their local food bank. The state is also aligning philanthropic support to help assist families impacted by the disruption of SNAP benefits.
Nearly 13% of Michigan households, approximately 1.4 million people, receive federal SNAP benefits. About 43% are families with children and 36% are families with members who are older adults or disabled. In Michigan, more than 9,700 retailers accept SNAP. In 2023, retailers redeemed over $3.6 billion in SNAP.
“Hungry families cannot wait for the folks in power in Washington, DC to do their jobs,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today, in light of the USDA’s decision to freeze SNAP, the State of Michigan is taking action to support the Food Bank Council of Michigan so they can continue feeding families in all 83 counties and deliver food to those who are unable to drive. We take care of each other in Michigan, and we will continue bringing together public and private philanthropic resources to feed people as we hit day 30 of the federal government shutdown and approach the November 1 pause of SNAP. We will continue to do what we can in Michigan to help impacted families.”
Michigan Senate Democrats passed legislation to provide $71 million in funding for SNAP families, though its prospects of passing the House is uncertain.
---> SNAP pause: Where Metro Detroit families can get food help during government shutdown
The Food Bank Council of Michigan was founded in 1984 through the cooperative efforts of the state’s regional food banks. The purpose of FBCM was to implement a unified strategy to address and alleviate hunger statewide by increasing emergency food resources and advocating on behalf of the hunger relief network.