DETROIT – Two days before November SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are set to be reduced for an estimated 1.4 million Michiganders, state and community leaders are racing to soften the blow.
On Thursday, Michigan Senate approved a bill that would provide $71 million in state food assistance to help households affected by the federal pause in SNAP benefits.
The measure must still pass the Republican-controlled Michigan House, which is not scheduled to return to session until next week.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer also announced that the State of Michigan will send $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan.
Read more: Michigan to provide $4.5M to food banks as SNAP pause looms for 1.4M residents
State officials say the funds will support food distribution and delivery services to families across all 83 counties impacted by the federal SNAP pause.
Community groups are already responding on the ground. Southwest Detroit-based Detroiters Helping Each Other (DHEO) spent Thursday distributing fresh produce, breads, and other groceries to neighbors whose SNAP benefits will be cut for November.
“Just the normal cost of fruits and veggies are just as much as a pack of meats now,” said Jessica Ramirez of DHEO. “Families are worried how are they going to provide a full-course meal for their families?”
Volunteers worked to distribute the food as a line of cars grew along Pearl Street, loading boxes of fruits, vegetables and bread.
Norca Vargas is a working parent, volunteer with DHEO, and among local families who receive SNAP benefits.
She said the coming benefit reductions will force her to stretch already-tight household budgets.
“Oh my God. It will be hard,” Vargas said. “I’ve got two kids. I have to stretch everything because I pay rent and everything in the house. So it will be kind of hard.”
Beyond immediate meal assistance, experts warn the cuts will place extra strain on Michigan’s charitable food system. Chad Techner, founder and CEO of Metro Food Rescue, said agency partners are bracing for a spike in demand.
“We’ve been receiving calls from so many agencies looking for more food and looking for more help,” Techner said. “All of our agency partners are looking for more food because they are expecting demand to just go through the roof next week. With SNAP benefits being cut, it’s going to be hard for people to afford groceries, and that’s going to put a major strain on the charitable food system.”
Organizers say community action will be crucial in the coming days and weeks. In addition to donating food and funds, volunteers can help by sorting donations and offering logistics support, especially those with trucks who can assist deliveries.
How you can help
- Volunteer to sort and distribute food at local pantries and rescue organizations.
- Donate to trusted local food banks and pantry networks.
- If you have vehicle or logistics capacity, offer help transporting food to distribution sites.
Metro Food Rescue and other organizations have posted volunteer and donation information online.
To learn more or to get involved, visit metrofoodrescue.com.
You can learn more about Detroiters Helping Each Other (DHEO) by visiting here.