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Federal shutdown raises fears of SNAP funding cuts impacting Michigan families

UpNorthLive | November 2, 2025



As the federal government shutdown enters its 19th day, the funding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is at risk.

Several states have sent out warnings that SNAP users will not get any new food benefits in November. Michigan is not one of the states to give that warning.

When we spoke to people who would be looped in on that information, they said any guidance changes daily.

“It’s really kind of up in the air right now,” Northwest Food Coalition Coordinator Rachael Cougler said.

Northwest Food Coalition is a network of 75 different pantries and meal sites across Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim and Kalkaska Counties.

Right now, what she’s hearing from her network of people is there’s a big demand that’s not going away.

“A lot of it has significantly increased, especially since the summer started since the new year rolled around,” Rachael said. “We’re expecting to see still more increases as we see inflation and cost of other goods just rise. So, folks are choosing to go to pantries and meal sites and put their funds toward other costs.”

In June 2025, UpNorthLive spoke to food pantry volunteers and others who already noticed a difference, noting they saw new faces every week.

Some who rely on services like food rescue to supply their pantries were concerned about keeping up with demand.

But Rachael said right now, she’s hearing more optimism.

“We’re in a good position to be able to handle that influx. Most of our sites are usually in a pretty good place, but we have a lot who are solely volunteers, so donation based,” Rachael said. “So, we have tried preparing them since the start of the year for these influxes saying, you know, it’s going to happen.”

While they know there will be an increase in demand for services, Rachael said they’re not sure what impacts are coming to SNAP.

Has any guidance been given by state leaders?

“We know something is happening. We’re not exactly sure what it will work out in the end. We do know that there are expected cuts and delays to some of that SNAP funding and it definitely will impact individuals who are in our area,” Rachael said.

As Rachael explains, if SNAP benefits are lost it affects where people allocate their money.

“We have insurance, we have childcare, we have housing and food. Usually when you look across all those kinds of expenses, food is the first one that gets cut,” Rachael said. “So, when we see those benefits getting eliminated, we’re going to see more folks in the community going hungry. And that’s not just adults. That’s children, that’s seniors, that’s veterans and families as well.”

If you’re wondering what you can do to support your local food pantries, Rachael said you can reach out to volunteer.

She also advises calling your local representatives and let them know your concerns about potential SNAP funding losses.

READ MORE: https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/federal-shutdown-raises-fears-of-snap-funding-cuts-impacting-michigan-families

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Written by UpNorthLive

Comments

This post currently has 36 comments.

  1. @latia4904

    November 2, 2025 at 1:46 am

    To the people that feel moved to say "get a job"
    Snap recipients do work, it's a requirement, unless they have eligible life circumstances that keep them from working.
    Also most of the time, more taxes are taken from their paychecks then they receive in foods stamps, so it's actually their money being replaced in the form of foodstamps🤷🏽‍♀️
    Read and educate yourself before commenting

  2. @latia4904

    November 2, 2025 at 1:46 am

    So sad! Things just keep getting worse and inflation is through the roof! Cost of living raising and our income remaining the same….smh!😖
    I just started getting food stamps after being turned down for so long. I'm so used to having to skimp by and pay cash for groceries, that I don't really feel sorry for myself, I really feel sorry for people that can't work or don't know/have the resources to take care of their household. Prayers that things will get better and God will provide🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️

  10. @MsTees-x1s

    November 2, 2025 at 1:46 am

    Now's the time to get off the couch and get out and find a job and buy what you want to eat. People has got to stop being dependent on the system. Buy fishing poles and go fishing, go hunting, there are ways to survive so you don't starve and with that government shutdown you'll survive. It happened before with that government shutdown back in December 22, 2018, until January 25, 2019. It just might happen again until January staying shutdown. 🤷‍♀️

  12. @LynnDevereaux

    November 2, 2025 at 1:46 am

    The Democrats are too busy, trying to get free healthcare for the illegals!!! I have to pay for mine. They’re not even citizens and they want to give it to them free.🤔🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

  13. @donnaking8056

    November 2, 2025 at 1:46 am

    The folks are in trouble because they receive all the SNAP and Welfare and other benefits. Black americans have been stereotyped as getting the most benefits. All lies have been put out there on black americans.😂😂

  17. @daniellehand9412

    November 2, 2025 at 1:46 am

    Good its meant for a hand up not a hand out majority of ppl on it have been in it for years its a form of socialism. Get a job and use birth control if you can't afford food duh 🙄

  19. @scottc8152

    November 2, 2025 at 1:46 am

    GROCERY STORES: Get signs up NOW forbidding face coverings and head coverings, cameras installed EVERYWHERE. People will be jacking people in the parking lots and delivery vehicles. Buy all you will need for November so you can avoid these chaos zones as if your life depends on it. For some, it will.

  23. @naimreed8247

    November 2, 2025 at 1:46 am

    No! Not while you have money for other countries and for endless war. Its just food. You can't afford to feed your poor? Why do you have a government if it can't provide services and protection?

  24. @chrismcpherson1586

    November 2, 2025 at 1:46 am

    Im a senior citizen my wife & i get SNAP. Im not worried about it. We are well stocked. Our deep freezer is full of meat. We can all our vegetables. We fill our deep freezer once a yr. Yes buy canned food potatos and other items. But we manage our money and snap very well. Familes with children i worry about. Yes senior's who are very limited. My wife & system works. I get a deer each yr. We buy our meats from a local meat market we get a senior citizen discount. Im greatful. We need our Snap. But also we know how to manage money. We own our home. But we get only $2000 a month.

  31. @lucanidae100

    November 2, 2025 at 1:46 am

    Wealthy people go get food at the pantries. Snap reciepients don't have to because they get Filet at local stores and lobster for a snack. Something is very evil!

Comments are closed.

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