Urgent: Legislative Action Needed to Support Michiganders Impacted by SNAP Funding Pause
12 hours ago
This week, NASW-Michigan took urgent action to advocate for the thousands of Michigan families who stand to be impacted by the federal government’s pause on November SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
On behalf of our state’s social workers and the communities we serve, NASW-Michigan sent formal letters to Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature urging swift state-level action to mitigate the harm caused by this federal funding lapse. Our message was clear: no Michigan family should go hungry because of bureaucratic gridlock.
 In our letters, we called on state leaders to explore emergency relief options, coordinate with food banks and community partners, and advocate to federal officials to restore and safeguard SNAP funding immediately. We were encouraged when Governor Whitmer announced an additional $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan, as well as the Senate passing a bill that would provide $71 million to continue SNAP benefits beyond Nov. 1 if the USDA puts a freeze on the program. Unfortunately, at this time it looks that those efforts have stalled in the House, as Speak Matt Hall has signals he does not plan on bringing up the legislation. We are encouraging all social workers to contact Speaker Hall immediately and encourage the bills to be brought up. His office can be reached at (517) 373-1784 or MattHall@house.mi.gov.
Social workers see firsthand how food insecurity affects health, education, and family stability—and we will continue to use our collective voice to demand solutions that protect Michigan’s most vulnerable residents.
You can read the full letter to state leaders here.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to social justice and for standing with us in this critical moment of advocacy.
Contact your legislators
From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources: Hunters Feedings Michigan We know many are concerned with potential impacts to federal food assistance (SNAP) and want to remind Michiganders to consider supporting the Hunters Feeding Michigan program. This program supports people throughout the state with the assistance of hunters, deer processors and the Food Bank Council of Michigan. *From Oct. 1, 2024 to Oct. 1 2025, over 140,000 lbs. (560,000 servings) of high-quality venison has been donated to people in need throughout our state. Hunters can donate deer at participating processors or provide monetary donations when purchasing DNR licenses. Those monetary donations assist with processing deer for distribution. If you are a hunter planning to participate in this year's deer season, we are working with several businesses around the state to hold deer drive events to help get even more venison into communities in need. Please visit our Hunters Feeding Michigan page to learn more about the program, how you can help, and for deer drive event information.
Washtenaw County In Washtenaw County, at least 14% of residents experience food insecurity and nearly 8% receive SNAP benefits. The Michigan ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report found that 38% of Washtenaw County households struggle to afford basic needs. For SNAP recipients who still have remaining funds, Double Up has made temporary program changes to support access to fresh and frozen produce. Food Gatherers, a food bank and rescue program that partners with 140 different community organizations across Washtenaw County, continues to break record numbers of groceries being distributed, while experiencing an estimated $2.5 million in federal cuts.
Despite facing a budget shortfall, Food Gatherers has communicated to its partner agencies that they will soon be increasing food distribution efforts, in response to the delay of SNAP benefits. Washtenaw County residents can visit the Food Gatherers website and use the “Find Food Map” to search for free meal programs and food pantries, with the option to filter by time, day, location, and services available, and can call their office during open hours with any questions about resources. Two of these partner agencies primarily service University students, the Maize & Blue Cupboard on University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus, and Swoop’s Pantry on Eastern Michigan University’s campus in Ypsilanti. Over 30% of U-M students, and over 46% of EMU students experience some level of food insecurity.
West Michigan Feeding America West Michigan Provides food through a network of partner agencies and its own programs, including retail food rescue and mobile food pantries. Meals on Wheels Western Michigan Offers food assistance, particularly for seniors. Clients can register to shop for groceries at the pantry. Food Bank Council of Michigan A network that includes food banks like Feeding America West Michigan and Manna Food Project. Family Network of Wyoming: A local food pantry for residents in Wyoming. North Kent Connect: A resource center with a food pantry in Rockford. Northwest Michigan Mecosta County Pantries - God’s Helping Hands Pantry in Remus, 989-967-8581
- Project Starburst in Big Rapids, 231-796-5342
- Manna Pantry of Big Rapids, 231-408-2940
Clare County Pantries - Clare County Food Pantry in Clare, 989-229-0849
- Clare County Senior Services, 989-539-8870
- Compassion Counts Food Pantry in Harrison, 989-539-1445
Osceola County Pantries - Marion Food Pantry, 231-743-6801
- Sears Food Pantry, 231-620-2504
Lake County Pantries - Bread of Life Food Pantry, (231) 349-8269
Metro Detroit Gleaners Community Food Bank Gleaners works with organizations around metro Detroit to provide food to nearly 400 partner soup kitchens, food patnries, shelters, schools and other agencies. They also offer direct service drive-up grocery distributions across the metro area. Forgotten Harvest Forgotten Harvest delivers 144,000 pounds of surplus food per day to local charities, helping organizations get food in the hands of those who need it. It also has a mobile pantry program to help get nutrition foods to food-insecure residents in high-poverty, under-served metro Detroit neighborhoods. United Way for Southeastern Michigan United Way as a Feeding Eating and Succeeding Together (FEAST) program that teaches adults how to provide the structure and leadership children need to grow into healthy eaters. It also provides summer meals for children, breakfast initiatives and more.
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