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Arkansas Food Banks Sound Alarm Over Potential Cutoff of SNAP Benefits

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Arkansas's food banks are sounding the alarm as the potential cutoff of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits looms due to the ongoing government shutdown. The Arkansas Department of Human Services has warned that the roughly 222,000 Arkansans who rely on SNAP to buy groceries could see their benefits delayed or disrupted if Congress doesn't agree to a deal to reopen the government soon. Food banks, including the Arkansas Foodbank, are preparing to help, but stress that they cannot replace the magnitude of food resources provided by federal nutrition programs like SNAP.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Arkansas Department of Human Services has warned that 222,000 Arkansans who rely on SNAP could see their benefits delayed or disrupted due to the government shutdown.
  • Food banks, including the Arkansas Foodbank, are preparing to help but stress that they cannot replace the magnitude of food resources provided by federal nutrition programs like SNAP.
  • SNAP provides roughly nine times the amount of aid given out by the six Arkansas food banks combined, according to Arkansas Foodbank CEO Brian Burton.
  • The charitable food distribution system in Arkansas includes over 600 food pantry organizations across the state, with at least one in all 75 counties.
  • Congressional Democrats have refused to approve a short-term spending bill to fund the government until Republicans negotiate on health care cuts.
  • The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have refused to budge, leading to the second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
  • Arkansas has the highest rate of food insecurity in the country, according to the USDA.
  • USDA data compiled by the nonprofit health policy organization KFF show more than $500 million in SNAP benefits went to Arkansas in the 2024 fiscal year.
  • Harvest Regional Food Bank in southwest Arkansas has assisted about 12,000 families since the beginning of the month and expects numbers to increase.

Statistics:

  • 222,000 Arkansans rely on SNAP to buy groceries.
  • SNAP provides roughly nine times the amount of aid given out by the six Arkansas food banks combined.
  • Over 600 food pantry organizations across the state, with at least one in all 75 counties.
  • $500 million in SNAP benefits went to Arkansas in the 2024 fiscal year.
  • Arkansas has the highest rate of food insecurity in the country.
  • 12,000 families assisted by Harvest Regional Food Bank since the beginning of the month.

Sources:

  • Ark Times: "Arkansas SNAP benefits may be derailed next month due to shutdown, DHS says"
  • Arkansas Department of Human Services
  • USDA: "Total SNAP Program Benefits" (compiled by KFF)
  • USDA: "Food Security in the US" (key statistics and graphics)
  • Harvest Regional Food Bank
  • Arkansas Foodbank
  • Axios: "Government shutdown: SNAP payments emergency funds"

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