Federal Shutdown Halts SNAP Benefits for Hoosiers, Philanthropy Responds

As the federal government shutdown enters its second month, a critical safety net for Hoosier families has been disrupted: SNAP benefits for November have been halted, affecting more than 570,000 Indiana residents who rely on this program to put food on the table.

This alert outlines the current crisis, philanthropic response efforts, and how funders across Indiana can step up to support communities in need.

What’s Happening

• The Federal Government Shut Down October 1. The Senate has remained in Washington, D.C., holding more than a dozen unsuccessful votes on a continuing resolution. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has been in recess since September 19 and is not expected to return until a solution is negotiated.
• SNAP Payments Halted. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed it would not distribute SNAP benefits for November due to lack of funding. Contingency reserves exist but were initially withheld, triggering lawsuits and emergency action.
• Court Orders Funding Restarted but Delays Remain. Federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ordered the USDA to use contingency funds to restore benefits, but logistical delays mean Hoosiers may wait days or weeks for their November deposits.
• Indiana’s State Budget Committee Declines Action. A proposal to use state surplus funds to temporarily cover SNAP shortfalls was rejected by the Indiana State Budget Committee. (source)

What Funders Can Do Right Now

Philanthropy cannot replace the scale of federal aid, but our rapid, flexible response can stabilize communities and prevent a humanitarian crisis.

✓ Communicate with Community Partners

Contact your grantees and nonprofit partners in the food security space to understand what they’re facing on the ground and how it will impact your community. 

✓ Deploy Flexible, Rapid Response Funding

Assess discretionary or donor-advised funds (DAFs) for immediate deployment. Unrestricted emergency grants allow food banks and pantries to quickly purchase high-demand items, often at bulk/wholesale costs that stretch your impact further.

✓ Mobilize Your Donors

If you’re a community foundation, rally your DAF holders. Make it simple for them to give and spotlight local food banks across your communications.

✓ Share Vital Community Resources

Ensure your community knows where to turn for help. 

• Community Compass
• Indiana 211
• Indiana FSSA Food Map
• Feeding America Food Bank Locator
• Food Bank of Northern Indiana
• Food Finders Food Bank (Greater Lafayette, Clinton, Cass, and White Counties)
• Dare to Care Food Bank (Southern Indiana & Louisville)
• Hope Southern Indiana (New Albany)

As we approach Thanksgiving and the winter holiday season, there is still deep uncertainty. Although we know that philanthropy is not the long-term answer for this situation, our sector will continue to be incredibly important, even after the shutdown is resolved. The impact of these cuts on our neighbors and on our systems will linger, so please continue to support these organizations.

Your foundation’s leadership can make a difference.

How Philanthropy Is Stepping Up 

Indiana foundations and philanthropic networks are responding with urgency, flexibility, and collaboration.

At IPA’s recent Grantmaking Peer Community meeting, over 40 members, including community and private foundations, came together to share what they’re seeing on the ground and how they’re responding. Some are proactively issuing emergency grants, others are convening food pantries and coalitions to assess needs, and several are coordinating logistics or providing fiscal sponsorships. While some members report that food pantries in their area are stable, others note a rapid uptick in demand. Several discouraged traditional food drives due to lack of storage, emphasizing the need for flexible funding over donated goods.

If your foundation is involved in this work, please share your efforts so we can help elevate and connect them statewide. Email us at news@inphilanthropy.org.

Learn about a national funders’ working group in response to the SNAP crisis.

Related News

• Community Funders Launch $1 Million Central Indiana Food Relief Fund
• Marion County, Indianapolis launches emergency food effort
• Community Foundation of Elkhart County supports local food pantries as SNAP benefits lapse
• Hancock County braces for more food requests
• Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana shares local food distributions and community services
• Montgomery County designates $500K in food assistance amid shutdown
• Wayne County restaurants step up with free meals to SNAP beneficiaries
• Hendricks County pantries prepare as government shutdown threatens SNAP benefits
• Kosciusko County Community Foundation approves an emergency grant to Milford Food Bank
• Evansville area restaurants provide free meals amid SNAP cuts
• Metro United Way Launches Emergency Food Response in the Greater Louisville Region
• Nonprofits worry about food insecurity in Southern Indiana
• Fort Wayne food banks see increase in demand amid SNAP cuts
• St. Joseph County reactivates Emergency Food Initiative (Food Bank of Northern Indiana offers map of pantries)