The Brief
- Unless the government shutdown ends, more than 400,000 Minnesotans will lose their food benefits on Nov. 1.
- This is the first time ever that food benefits, also known as SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, will lapse.
- A federal judge indicated that she would rule Thursday on whether to force the Trump administration to use reserve money to fund the benefits.
(FOX 9) – Unless the government shutdown ends, more than 400,000 Minnesotans will lose their food benefits on Saturday, a threat that has driven more people to food banks and meal kitchens throughout the metro.
Twin Cities food banks, meal kitchens see uptick in demand
What they’re saying:
“We really are worried about what this will mean for so many folks in Minnesota,” said Sophia Larenz-Coy, executive director of The Food Group in New Hope. “SNAP benefits for November are worth $70 million dollars in Minnesota. I do not anticipate that in one month we will all collectively be able to raise $70 million worth of food support.”
Catholic Charities Twin Cities, which now serves more than 1,000 meals each day, about a few hundred or so more than usual, has also seen a surge in demand at its downtown St. Paul kitchen.…