Hennepin County approves $2 million for food shelves, meal programs amid shutdown

The most populous county in Minnesota has approved millions of dollars for food security.

Hennepin County announced that food banks, food shelves and food rescue organizations will be eligible to receive up to $2 million.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) stopped receiving funding in November because of the government shutdown; however, on Thursday, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits through the month. It isn’t known at this time how quickly recipients will see money go back onto their debit cards.

RELATED: Federal judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits in November

In Hennepin County, 110,000 recipients receive an average of $180 in SNAP benefits per month, which officials say is about $20 million of federal disbursements each month. Of those recipients, Hennepin County says an estimated 10,600 are children.

“The interruption is happening at a time when every Minnesotan’s grocery budget is stretched thin. The pause in benefits for Minnesota households is not a consequence of any local policy decision, but its impact will reverberate in grocery stores and on kitchen tables across the county,” said Dr. Irene Fernando, board chair and District 2 commissioner. “The 110,000 Hennepin County residents who rely on SNAP benefits represent 25% of the state’s total participants. I want to emphasize: That means the other 75% of Minnesotans who rely on SNAP are spread across the state.” 

Click here for more information on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children and here for food assistance options in Hennepin County.

RELATED: Ramsey County releases $450,000 for food shelves, baby formula as shutdown continues
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