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Food assistance

Montana Residents Struggle Without SNAP Benefits Amid Government Shutdown

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Tens of thousands of Montanans are now without food assistance due to the federal government shutdown, with local food banks and pantries working overtime to support those in need. The shutdown has left 77,679 residents without Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, a federal food aid program for low-income households. While some states have stepped in to support their residents, Montana has not allocated state funds to cover the gap.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of 77,679 Montanans did not receive SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown, with local food banks and pantries struggling to keep up with demand.
  • Households in Montana receive an average of $350 a month from SNAP benefits.
  • Bear Necessities, a food pantry at the University of Montana, has seen a significant increase in food distribution, with over 170 unique households served in the past month.
  • The food pantry, funded by the Associated Students of the University of Montana, has allocated $20,000 for purchasing food this year.
  • The Missoula Food Bank is also working to meet the demand, with donations coming in from local restaurants and community members.
  • The fear is that the loss of SNAP benefits will have a ripple effect, impacting the stability of federal nutrition programs and the ability of local food banks to meet demand.
  • Non-profit organizations like Bear Necessities and the Missoula Food Bank are working tirelessly to support those in need, but their funding is not as consistent or large as the taxes paid by the American people.
  • The University of Montana's food drive, Can the Cats, is a crucial initiative to help the food pantry through slower donation seasons into May.

Statistics:

  • 77,679 Montanans did not receive SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown.
  • Households in Montana receive an average of $350 a month from SNAP benefits.
  • Over 170 unique households were served from the food pantry on campus in the past month.
  • The food pantry distributed 3,000 pounds of food in October.
  • $20,000 was allocated for purchasing food for the food pantry this year.
  • The Missoula Food Bank received donations from local restaurants, including Catalyst2Go, Funk It Coffee and Thrift, and Great Harvest Bread Company.

Sources:

  • "Montanans left without SNAP benefits amid government shutdown". [The Missoulian](https://missoulian.com/news/local/montanans-left-without-snap-benefits-amid-government-shutdown/article_dbbe7a48-3758-56c8-83a6-d448f6c9f9a6.html)
  • "Bear Necessities prepares for influx of students in need without SNAP benefits". [The Missoulian](https://missoulian.com/news/local/bear-necessities-prepares-for-influx-of-students-in-need-without-snap/article_7e76d79c-9111-575d-9f4a-5c1f1303721c.html)
  • "Missoula Food Bank prepared to take on local demand for food assistance". [The Missoulian](https://missoulian.com/news/local/missoula-food-bank-prepared-to-take-on-local-demand-for-food/article_2b2eb14f-390d-59a4-94ae-b5c2677e2e7a.html)

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