Arizona Gov Hobbs Distributes $1.8M COVID Funds to Food Banks Amid SNAP Funding Standoff

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs is addressing the imminent loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for nearly one million Arizonans due to a federal government shutdown and the Trump administration's withholding of $6 billion in contingency funds. To mitigate the impact, Hobbs is allocating $1.8 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, with $1.5 million going to food banks statewide and $300,000 funding a new Food Bucks Now program that provides fresh produce vouchers to SNAP households. Hobbs has criticized the Trump administration for using vulnerable families as leverage in political negotiations and has urged the release of withheld funds to prevent hunger among seniors, veterans, children, and low-income families. Her administration is also calling on local retailers and the fresh produce industry to contribute food and resources, and has partnered with food banks and nonprofits to support increased demand. The move has garnered praise from state Democrats and nonprofit leaders, who emphasize the necessity of state intervention amid federal aid delays. Hobbs has publicly shared her own experience with food stamps to underline the urgency and human impact of the crisis.