On October 1, 2025, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history began, creating uncertainty across the country. Here in Rhode Island, 26,000 federal employees went weeks without pay. And as the month wore on with no clear resolution in sight, the fear that SNAP benefits would lapse in November became an unprecedented reality for 142,726 Ocean State SNAP recipients.
During this time, a record number of Rhode Islanders visited our member agencies, necessitating that the Food Bank adjust its food acquisition plan to address the increased demand.
Our supporters stepped in to donate food and funds at a critical moment. With the support of our community, the Food Bank was able to mobilize quickly to purchase and distribute the food our member agencies needed to keep their shelves stocked.
“I am so grateful to the team for always being ready to respond to the needs of the community” said Jen Tomassini, the Food Bank’s chief operations officer. “We shifted our purchasing plans overnight and distributed truckloads of additional pounds to replace the food our neighbors were missing.”
Though the shutdown ended after 43 days, and SNAP benefits were restored quickly back in November, our work isn’t done. Rhode Islanders receiving the benefit are still trying to make sense of the changes and reductions to the federal program that came with the HR1 bill, and our pantries are continuing to see an increased number of guests.
