Government Shutdown Resources

November SNAP Benefits Halted

With each day it persists, the federal government shutdown is affecting Rhode Islanders. Here’s what we know.

Nearly 143,000 Rhode Islanders will not receive their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) food assistance benefits on November 1st, and won’t receive this assistance again until the government reopens.

Currently, the average SNAP benefit is $6.69 per person, per day. That amounts to a loss of nearly $1 million in food assistance for Rhode Islanders per day.

An additional 27,000 federal employees in the state may be impacted by a loss of wages due to the shutdown. Many of these folks have never been on SNAP, and will visit a food pantry for the very first time.

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SNAP Benefits

• SNAP participants who received October benefits should expect EBT cards to work as usual at authorized retailers through October 31 and beyond. Any unused funds on your EBT card will roll over into November.

• Because of the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not released funds that states use to pay SNAP (food assistance) benefits.

• November SNAP food assistance benefits are on hold, and your November benefits will not be available on your EBT card on November 1st unless federal actions are taken.

• We know this is incredibly stressful and confusing. Visit dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services for latest updates.

If you are in need of food assistance, resources are available.

Find Food

Use our Food Finder tool to locate the meal site or food pantry closest to you.

Find Food

Find Community Resources

Other resources that may be helpful to you, like health and housing resources, compiled by our Community Outreach team.

Community Resources

Call 2-1-1

If you are in need of immediate assistance, contact United Way of Rhode Island’s 24-hour hotline by dialing 2-1-1

Visit Their Website

Latest Updates from DHS

Visit the Rhode Island Department of Human Services’ website for latest updates and contact information.

Visit Their Website

Give Help

Given the disruption to SNAP food assistance benefits and federal employees and contractors having gone without paychecks for an extended period of time, the RI Food Bank’s 137 member agencies around the state will see more people in their lines than ever and our current food acquisition budget can’t meet the demand.

In this time of emergency, if you have the capacity to give, we need your help. We’re asking our community to pitch in now so that we can support our neighbors in this time of crisis—for as long as it persists and beyond—as the impacts will be long-lasting.

Donate

More Ways to Help

Become a Monthly Sustainer

Give monthly via an automatic charge to your card or deduction from your bank account to ensure our continued ability to meet our community’s need.

Become a Sustainer

Host a Virtual Fundraiser

Set up an online fundraiser to raise money with your friends, family, or colleagues.

Learn More

Hold a Food Drive

Start a food drive to benefit the Food Bank. View a list of needed food, and download posters and materials.

Start a Drive

Donate Food to Your Local Food Pantry

Use our “Find Food” tool to find the food pantry in your community. Then, reach out to them directly to donate food.

Find Your Local Food Pantry

Why Support the RI Food Bank

Food has an enormous impact on people’s lives beyond just nourishing the body. When people are fed, futures are nourished, and individuals can go from surviving to truly thriving. When you donate to the Food Bank and inspire your network to do the same, you enable us to…

Distribute healthy, nutritious food to over 89,000 Rhode Islanders each month.

Prioritize fresh produce and culturally relevant foods that guests want to serve their families.

Provide community outreach to help guests understand important benefits like SNAP and other resources.

Serve daily meals to kids at risk of hunger at 3 statewide sites through our Kids Cafe program.

Provide practical nutrition education and demonstrations to support guests in making healthy choices through our Healthy Habits program.

Support our 137 member agencies with workshops, educational resources, and grant funding.

Founded in 1982, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank (“the Food Bank” or “RI Food Bank”) serves as the central hub for food distribution across its state-wide network of 137 member agencies, ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it most. Through donations, federal programs, and community partnerships, the Food Bank works to improve the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders by advancing solutions to the problem of hunger.

The RI Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Rhode Island Community Food Bank︱rifoodbank.org︱(401) 942-6325︱200 Niantic Avenue, Providence RI 02907︱contactus@rifoodbank.org

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