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SNAP funding delay could leave thousands of Iowans looking to nonprofits for meals

SNAP funding delay could leave thousands of Iowans looking to nonprofits for meals
Hundreds of thousands of Iowans are anxiously watching the days tick down until November 1st. Iowa Health and Human Services says 131,000 households use that supplemental nutrition assistance program or SNAP benefits each month. The EBT. Cards are usually refilled on the first of the month, but because of the federal government shutdown, that likely won't happen. vlog's Peppa Maura went to the River Place pantry on Euclid Avenue. She reports how they're preparing for people to look to them until benefits are restored. I still got about $30 on my card, $30 left over from October's EBT funds to keep Daniel Ayala fed until the government reopens and the SNAP program is funded once again. There's *** lot of discussion of people worried about how they will meet their nutrition. Needs for the month. That's Polk County's family and youth services director Eric Cool. He says with SNAP benefits delayed indefinitely, pantries across the metro are expecting more people to turn to them to feed their families. Anytime there's *** reduction in other benefits, there's an increased need in something else. The inquiries are also flooding the phone lines at Wesley Life's Meals on Wheels program. We are starting to receive calls from folks asking questions about their benefits. West Atlanta's community nutrition director Shannon Dreher says they're preparing for more people to need meal deliveries and an increased demand from the Food Bank of Iowa for the fresh veggies they grow. We've already sent out. bags this week to people who are asking and concerned. In schools across Des Moines, shelves are being stocked in anticipation that families will need support. 76% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch. It's *** high likelihood if *** family qualifies for free and reduced lunch, they also would qualify for those SNAP benefits. With the benefits and looming. The district is emphasizing the food benefits of attending school, both in the cafeteria and in its pantry system available at most campuses. We have health professionals in every building. We have support staff ready to help, um, refer to needed services in the community and help with any of those areas that families may be struggling with. And that was Pepper Papurro reporting. Tomorrow the school district will join the Iowa State Education Association in Common Good, Iowa at *** press conference to speak more on the impact in schools stalled SNAP benefits could have.
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Updated: 9:19 PM CDT Oct 29, 2025
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SNAP funding delay could leave thousands of Iowans looking to nonprofits for meals
vlog logo
Updated: 9:19 PM CDT Oct 29, 2025
Editorial Standards
Hundreds of thousands of Iowans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could face a food crisis as the federal government shutdown drags on.Iowa Health and Human Services says about 131,000 households use SNAP benefits each month, with Electronic Benefit Transfer cards typically refilled on the first. But with funding halted during the shutdown, those payments will be delayed and are not expected to resume until the shutdown ends and the program is funded again.At the River Place Food Pantry in Des Moines, shelves are being stocked in anticipation of growing need. “There’s a lot of discussion of people worried about how they will meet their nutrition needs for the month,” said Eric Kool, Polk County’s director of family and youth services. “Anytime there’s a reduction in other benefits, there’s increased need.”For residents like Daniel Ayala, the uncertainty is dire. “I’m on disability and I depend on it because the price of groceries is going up,” Ayala said. With only $30 leftover from October on his EBT card, he’s stretching what little he has left until the government reopens.WesleyLife’s Meals on Wheels program is also hearing from worried clients. “We’re already starting to receive calls from our clients concerned about their benefits,” said Shannon Draayer, WesleyLife’s community nutrition director. The organization has begun sending pantry bags and preparing for more meal deliveries.Des Moines Public Schools, where 76% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, is advocating for student attendance amid the benefit hiatus. “Being at school regularly helps with that nutrition, helps with their overall well-being,” said DMPS SUCCESS supervisor Jennifer Stalder, a district spokesperson. Stadler says campus pantries are stocked to support families, and students are eligible for two free meals each school day. The district can also help coordinate food services for families. Kool and other local leaders are urging Iowans to donate to local food programs or to the Food Bank of Iowa, where monetary contributions can go the farthest. A map of pantries is available on the Iowa Food Bank of Iowa's website here. Information about how to support Wesley Life's Meals on Wheels Program is available here. » Subscribe to vlog's YouTube page» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

Hundreds of thousands of Iowans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could face a food crisis as the federal government shutdown drags on.

Iowa Health and Human Services says about 131,000 households use SNAP benefits each month, with Electronic Benefit Transfer cards typically refilled on the first. But with funding halted during the shutdown, those payments will be delayed and are not expected to resume until the shutdown ends and the program is funded again.

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At the River Place Food Pantry in Des Moines, shelves are being stocked in anticipation of growing need.

“There’s a lot of discussion of people worried about how they will meet their nutrition needs for the month,” said Eric Kool, Polk County’s director of family and youth services. “Anytime there’s a reduction in other benefits, there’s increased need.”

For residents like Daniel Ayala, the uncertainty is dire.

“I’m on disability and I depend on it because the price of groceries is going up,” Ayala said. With only $30 leftover from October on his EBT card, he’s stretching what little he has left until the government reopens.

WesleyLife’s Meals on Wheels program is also hearing from worried clients.

“We’re already starting to receive calls from our clients concerned about their benefits,” said Shannon Draayer, WesleyLife’s community nutrition director. The organization has begun sending pantry bags and preparing for more meal deliveries.

Des Moines Public Schools, where 76% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, is advocating for student attendance amid the benefit hiatus.

“Being at school regularly helps with that nutrition, helps with their overall well-being,” said DMPS SUCCESS supervisor Jennifer Stalder, a district spokesperson.

Stadler says campus pantries are stocked to support families, and students are eligible for two free meals each school day. The district can also help coordinate food services for families.

Kool and other local leaders are urging Iowans to donate to local food programs or to the Food Bank of Iowa, where monetary contributions can go the farthest.

A map of pantries is available on the Iowa Food Bank of Iowa's website . Information about how to support Wesley Life's Meals on Wheels Program is available .

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