SNAP Disruption Sparks Campus Food Pantry Surge

As a federal government shutdown threatens November SNAP payments, the USDA said it will not cover the shortfall, putting hundreds of thousands of recipients at risk (for example, more than 260,000 Iowans and roughly 244,000 Arkansans). Food banks and campus pantries report sharp surges in need — from a 30% increase at UW–Milwaukee’s pantry to doubled or spiking usage at other university and community programs — and warn that donations cannot fully replace SNAP. Campuses and schools, including Marshall University, Bowling Green State University, Eastern Michigan University, Florida State University, and a Putnam City High School teacher who converted her classroom into a shame-free pantry, are expanding distributions and preparing for increased demand. State and local responses include Arkansas allocating $500,000 to six food banks, city and store-led food drives, and businesses matching donations, while food banks emphasize monetary gifts because they stretch further. Advocates are urging Congress to restore benefits and calling on communities to collect better campus hunger data, donate, and volunteer to avert a deeper food-security crisis if SNAP remains offline.