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TEFAP has been restored to full service.

What does the Minnesota Government Shut-down Mean to Low-Income People?

The Government shut-down is creating more unemployment and cancelled funding for important programs. More people will struggle to afford their groceries.

For an example of how this will impact you and your food shelf service, see the following interview from MPR:

^{Stephanie Burns, who receives child care assistance, said she’ll now have to come up with most of the $225 the state had been paying to send her two children to day care. That will have an impact on her family’s bottom line, she said. “We’ll probably have to start going to food shelves again and using the Angel Food Ministries and Ruby’s Pantry is another one that we’ll have to start using again because we won’t be able to pay for food,” Burns said.}

We encourage you to do your best to serve new clients and operate additional days/hours if possible. We also can help you refer your clients to other resources to supplement their family’s food needs.

The Minnesota Food HelpLine Has the Answers

The Minnesota Food HelpLine provides vital support for people facing hunger.

With one call, we provide:

• Nutrition and other program eligibility screening

• Referrals to food/grocery help near their home

You can feel confident referring families to the Minnesota Food HelpLine. We have the most current information on nutrition programs and can offer local hunger solutions in every part of the state.

Please call or make referrals to the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151.

Federal and State Nutrition Program Status Updates

• Food Support/Food Stamps

All people currently enrolled in the Food Support program will continue to receive their benefits.

All new people seeking to apply should call the Minnesota Food HelpLine or their County Office for clarifications. We are told that new cases are being accepted. We can help people prepare for their application. We also caution people to call the County office before going there in person in case of potential staff shortages.

• WIC

The WIC program, which provides food and nutrition education to low-income pregnant and postpartum women will remain in place.

• Summer Food Service for Children

All communications indicates that the Summer Food Service Program sites will be open and available to serve children this summer. Many sites serve breakfast and lunch. Some serve dinner.

There may be a few sites that cannot continue for a varitety of funding concerns. Please check with the site first, or have them call the Minnesota Food HelpLine for assistance.

See Second Harvest Heartland’s Map of Locations

• MAC & NAPS

These USDA commodities programs were deemed essential and your clients should continue to have access to service.

Please double check with your food bank for any questions or concerns.

• Meals on Wheels

Is considered an essential service and should continue service to home-bound individuals.

Call Hunger Solutions via the Minnesota Food HelpLine with your shut down service questions, ideas, concerns and new information. or send us an email.

Thank you for helping to feed our hungry neighbors.

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