With the government shutdown dragging on, Minnesota is bracing for the end of grocery benefits for hundreds of thousands of residents.

Minnesota is sending $4 million in emergency funding to food shelves as officials brace for federal food assistance benefits to run out because of the government shutdown. DFL Gov. Tim Walz and state officials stressed Monday that the allocation is a stopgap that will only help temporarily.

Minnesota's food shelves are set to get a funding boost amid surging demand stemming from the ongoing government shutdown.

Gov. Tim Walz announced $4 million in emergency funding will go to Minnesota food shelves as the ongoing government shutdown threatens to cut off SNAP benefits for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans.

If the continuing resolution or any other funding measures are not passed, funding for SNAP — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps as it's commonly called — will run out on Nov. 1.

Without SNAP benefits, one of the only options is food shelves, which many SNAP recipients already use. The average SNAP benefit per person in Minnesota is $157 a month, or just over $5 a day. But food shelves are already struggling to meet demand. The Food Group reports visits to Minnesota food shelves rose 18% between 2023 and 2024.

The ongoing government shutdown means SNAP benefits for roughly 440,000 Minnesotans will be halted on Nov. 1. To help manage the gap, Gov. Tim Walz released $4 million in emergency funding for food shelves.

Minnesota food banks face critical shortages as demand soars and SNAP funding stalls, leaving thousands at risk of hunger amid rising costs and dwindling donations. Local leaders urge urgent community support.