North Dakota Governor Directs $1.5 Million in State Funds to Support Food Assistance Programs Amid Federal Shutdown

Strategic Insights -

The ongoing federal government shutdown has put the nutritional needs of over 56,000 North Dakotans at risk, with 28,000 households facing the loss of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on November 1. In response, Governor Kelly Armstrong has directed more than $1.5 million in state funds to support food assistance programs, while also urging residents to consider donating food or money to local food pantries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The state of North Dakota has allocated $1.5 million in contingency funds to support food assistance programs during the federal government shutdown, with a focus on helping households with children, the elderly, and those with remaining SNAP balances.
  • The Great Plains Food Bank, which supplies food to nearly 200 partner pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens across the state, will receive $915,000 in state funds to purchase and distribute an additional 450,000 pounds of food in November.
  • The funding will assist approximately 24,000 households and help keep food on their tables, according to Kate Molbert, interim CEO and chief operating officer of the Great Plains Food Bank.
  • The state will use contingency funds to support the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program through the month of November, at an estimated cost of roughly $600,000.
  • Over 56,000 North Dakotans are at risk of losing their federal SNAP benefits on November 1, with 48% of those households having a child under 18, 30% having school-age children, and 26% including someone 60 or older.
  • Current SNAP payments to eligible households in North Dakota total about $10 million per month.

Statistics:

  • 56,000 North Dakotans are at risk of losing their federal SNAP benefits on November 1.
  • 28,000 households in North Dakota face the loss of federal SNAP benefits on November 1.
  • 48% of households at risk have a child under 18.
  • 30% of households at risk have school-age children.
  • 26% of households at risk include someone 60 or older.
  • Current SNAP payments to eligible households in North Dakota total about $10 million per month.
  • The state has allocated $1.5 million in contingency funds to support food assistance programs during the federal government shutdown.
  • $915,000 in state funds will be provided to the Great Plains Food Bank to purchase and distribute an additional 450,000 pounds of food in November.

Sources:

  • [News release from the office of the Governor of North Dakota]