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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 

October 30, 2025 

Contact: [email protected] 

 

*State of Michigan Announces $4.5 Million to Food Bank Council of Michigan, Additional Resources to Feed Families Before SNAP Pause Caused by Federal Government Shutdown*  

"State also working with philanthropic partners to align funding for impacted families in all 83 counties"  

  

*LANSING, Mich.* – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the State of Michigan will provide $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to feed families amid the federal government’s decision to pause SNAP benefits [ [link removed] ] starting November 1. The 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.  

  

“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.” 

  

“SNAP helps countless Michiganders put food on the table and feed their families when times are tough,” said *Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II*. “The federal government’s decisions have put SNAP in jeopardy, making it harder for families to stay out of poverty and stay healthy. That’s unacceptable. Today’s action will shore up community food banks who are working to fill the gap caused by the shutdown and get Michiganders relief. The State of Michigan will continue to Stand Tall so more families can get the resources they need to eat.” 

 

“Republicans and Democrats in Michigan were able to come together and work across the aisle to keep the state government open and pass a budget that moves to Michigan forward,” said *Speaker of the House Matt Hall (R-Richland Township)*. “Because we did the right thing and kept state government on the job, we are now able to step up with this critical support for our local food banks, ensuring they have the resources they need to protect our communities and keep Michigan families strong. But this will never be a long-term solution and state government can only make up so much of the federal government’s spending. Congress must follow our lead and keep more Michigan families from being hurt by this shutdown.” 

 

State Budget Office Director Jennifer Flood directed MDHHS to direct funding to the Food Bank Council. This action builds on a letter sent this morning [ [link removed] ] from 21 governors, led by Governor Whitmer, calling on the White House to release SNAP contingency funding and allow states to use those existing funds to feed people. 

 

“No one should go hungry and that's why we're sending out these emergency funds to help Michigan children, seniors and people with disabilities who are facing food insecurity,” *said State Budget Director Jen Flood*. “The federal government shutdown has created serious uncertainty for millions of Americans who rely on SNAP to put food on the table. This emergency funding will help food banks across the state support vulnerable Michiganders.” 

  

“With the delay in November SNAP benefits, the roughly 1.4 million Michiganders who receive food benefits are facing an impossible choice between putting food on the table and covering other basic needs,” said *Elizabeth Hertel, director of MDHHS*. “The Food Bank Council of Michigan and our philanthropic partners are stepping up to help fill the gap to ensure that our friends and neighbors have access to the basic nutrition needed to live, work and thrive.” 

 

Administered by the federal government’s USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), SNAP is the nation’s largest food assistance program and one of the most effective tools to reduce food insecurity. 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.  

  

SNAP participants should reach out to their local MDHHS office [ [link removed] ] with any questions regarding their federal SNAP benefits or check MI Bridges [ [link removed] ] for updates.  

   

*Additional resources*  


* Dial 2-1-1 or visit Find Help - Michigan 2-1-1 [ [link removed] ] for free, confidential assistance and referrals to local food programs and support services.  

* Visit the Food Bank Council of Michigan [ [link removed] ] to locate nearby food banks and learn about additional hunger relief efforts.    

* Michigan’s Double Up Food Bucks Program [ [link removed] ] – which is supported by a grant administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) – is a program that gives Michigan families money to purchase groceries, including fresh fruits and vegetables.  

* The Hunters Feeding Program [ [link removed] ], primarily funded through donations at the point of sale when customers purchase DNR licenses and/or permits, feeds an estimated 160 high-protein and nutritious meals per deer donated.  

* As part of the FY26 budget, free breakfast and lunch will continue being provided to Michigan’s 1.4 million public school students.  

* The Supper and Snacks program [ [link removed] ] through which children participating in afterschool activities have access to dinner and snacks. 

* The Emergency Food Assistance Program [ [link removed] ] helps supplement the diets of income-eligible individuals and households by providing them with USDA foods at no cost.  

  

*How SNAP works *  

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service administers SNAP at the federal level with states operating the program at the local level, determining eligibility and issuing benefits to eligible households. The program is funded by the federal government, not the state government.   

   

SNAP benefits are provided on electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that participants can use to purchase food at grocery and convenience stores, farmers markets and other retailers, circulating money directly into the food supply chain and other retail sectors. SNAP spending generates revenue for grocery stores, farmers and other businesses, which helps pay local wages, keeps shelves stocked and boosts the local economy.    

  

*SNAP in Michigan*   

In FY 2024, the average SNAP household in Michigan received $335.03 in SNAP benefits per month, which is about $173 per person per month or $5.68 per person, per day. Households with very low incomes receive more SNAP benefits than households closer to the poverty line because they need more help affording nutritious food.    


* 492,225 children benefit from SNAP.  

* 38,513 veterans participating in SNAP.   

* 36% SNAP households have older adults.   

* 43% SNAP households have children.   

* 51% households have a person with a disability.    

* 78% of SNAP households include someone with earned income.   

  

In Michigan, more than 9,700 retailers accept SNAP. In 2023, retailers redeemed over $3.6 billion in SNAP.    

  

To be eligible for SNAP in Michigan, applicants must be a U.S. citizen (or acceptable non-citizen status) and must live in Michigan. Eligibility is based on the financial situation of all members of a household. Everyone who lives together, purchases and prepares food together is considered a member of the same household group. In order to determine if a household is eligible for SNAP, MDHHS will review a household’s expenses, assets and income. Expenses include rent, mortgage, utility bills, child support and dependent care expenses. For individuals with a disability or who are at least 60 years old, medical care, medical supplies and health insurance premiums may be included as an expense.   

  

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