SNAP Cuts and Food Access

The current administration as decided to withhold reserve funds from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP formerly Food Stamps) and continues to do so against court orders. This will impact Americans in every corner of the country, and many of us are looking for help and ways to help.

Below are links to organizations that are providing aid and should be leveraged for aid and could, of course, use your dollars. Anyone can also call 2-1-1 for additional resources in their area.

South West Michigan (and close by)

Feeding America Western Michigan
The largest distributor of food in Western Michigan and affected by these cuts because of their close connection to the USDA.

Neighbor by Neighbor (Union Pier)
Can help via their food, hygiene, and diaper pantries or cash assistance.

Blessings in a Backpack (Three Oaks)
Families sign up to have additional food packed for the weekend when kids are not in school and receiving consistent meals.

Harbor Country Emergency Food and Thrift Store (Three Oaks)
Established food pantry for shelf stable products.

Baroda Bible Church Food Pantry (Baroda)
Very close by; accepts non-perishables and often household essentials. Best to call ahead to confirm current needs and drop-off times.

Hope Resources Food Pantry (Coloma)
Serves northern Berrien County; well-set up for both food and monetary donations. They can share a current “most-needed” list on request.

Redbud Area Ministries (Buchanan)
Larger regional pantry with consistent distribution; they welcome food, hygiene items, and financial support.

Out There (Sawyer)
In coordination with Harris Family Farm Foundation, Out There is offering free soup on Monday nights. No questions asked.

Meals on Wheels South West Michigan
Meals on Wheels gets food into homes of elderly and homebound folks. Their funding is facing a pretty steep cut and could benefit from support.

Cultivate Food Rescue (South Bend IN)
Larger gleaning organization with the ability to process food into ready to eat meals and get it back into the community via resource centers.

Other Regions
I don’t have the same rundown for other regions, but here are links to folks who are organizing.

Chicagoland
Greater Chicago Food Depository does a ton of work to collect and process food along with delivering back into communities. Community Organizers like Middlebrow is working other options including collections and drop off locations.

Traverse City/Leelanau County
Northwest Food Coalition is a great resource that can be leveraged for support and could use your financial support.
The Ticker has a rundown of some options and their newsletter this morning posted that both Farm Club and 9 Bean Rows have fresh produce shares available for free.

If you are looking for resources on cooking with kids in an economic way, check out the ChopChop Family newsletter and books.

Finally, I encourage you to call your elected officials on all levels and express your opinions on things like the withholding of SNAP funding. It can feel insignificant, but it isn’t.

Thanks to Beth Casey and Billy Burdett for help building this rundown.