With a federal government shutdown threatening to pause SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits on November 1, the Great Plains Food Bank is launching an emergency fundraising campaign to help ensure families across North Dakota and Clay County, MN don’t go hungry.
The Great Plains Food Bank’s aims to raise the necessary funds needed to source and distribute an additional one million pounds of food to meet the surge in demand expected in the weeks ahead.
“While the full impact of the shutdown is still unfolding, we know hunger doesn’t wait so we’re mobilizing early,” said Kate Molbert, Interim CEO of the Great Plains Food Bank. “We’re preparing now for an increase in neighbors turning to us for help, including families who rely on SNAP to feed their children, federal employees missing paychecks, seniors on fixed incomes, and others whose budgets are already stretched thin.”
If the shutdown continues beyond October 31, SNAP benefits for more than 48,000 North Dakotans and for over 440,000 Minnesotans will be paused, leaving families without the support they rely on to keep food on the table. Even if the government reopens before that happens, thousands of federal workers and contractors have already missed paychecks, and the financial ripple effects will continue for months to come.
“Our network of 196 partner food pantries, shelters, and meal programs are already serving record numbers of people,” Molbert said. “Without federal nutrition programs like SNAP functioning, it’s impossible for food banks alone to fill that gap. Our role is to make sure no one faces hunger alone. We will stretch resources as far as possible, get food where it’s needed most, and make sure every family living in rural communities, urban centers, and on tribal lands are treated with dignity and compassion.”
Starting immediately, the Great Plains Food Bank is ramping up food sourcing — prioritizing most requested foods like fruits, vegetables, and proteins — and expanding mobile food pantry and pop-up distributions in areas hardest hit, including communities with high numbers of federal employees, veterans, and working families living paycheck to paycheck.
The Great Plains Food Bank is also coordinating closely with state and local partners to monitor the situation and ensure food access remains consistent for all who need it.
“This is a moment for our community to stand together,” said Molbert. “Every dollar, every donated food item, every helping hand makes a real difference. When we act quickly and compassionately, we can make sure our neighbors don’t have to choose between paying for medicine, rent, or heat, and putting food on the table.”
To find support or to get involved, community members can:
- Donate: Visit our donation page to give funds. Every dollar helps provide food for two meals for neighbors in need.
- Give Locally: Community members can also host food drives or support their local food pantry.
- Get Help: Anyone in need of food assistance can find resources at their local pantries. Find the full list here.