November 4, 2025 - The lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits is hitting rural Montanans hard, as food banks in smaller communities often have fewer resources.
Many are run by community members and volunteers and may not have the capacity to meet the increased need.
Rose Duncan, secretary-treasurer of the Community Food Bank of Mineral County, said they are doing everything they can to get food to people who may go hungry, including appointments for emergency food in addition to weekly distributions, along with some other adjustments.
"We're going to lift some of our requirements and do it as we did for COVID," Duncan explained. "We're not going to make people verify income, they'll just sign a self-declaration. We're not going to turn anybody away."
More than 77,000 Montanans will not get their full SNAP benefits this month because of the government shutdown. The Trump administration said it will provide half of the usual SNAP program funding in November.
Kiera Condon, advocacy specialist for the Montana Food Bank Network, said she is seeing a lot of confusion, fear and uncertainty regarding when the reduced benefits will come through and how much money they will provide. She noted her organization is appealing to the state to fill the gap.
"We're really urging Gov. Gianforte to use available funds to ensure that folks get their full benefit amount," Condon stressed. "Because ultimately, no one should go hungry because of political gridlock. And, if Washington isn't going to act, then Montana should."
Condon and Duncan said if people want to help, they should check with their local food pantries to see what they need. Duncan emphasized monetary donations usually go the furthest. She pointed out it is going to take community action and neighbors checking on neighbors to get through, adding it will have far-reaching effects.
"It isn't just going to be just the people that are receiving SNAP benefits that are going to suffer," Duncan underscored. "It's going to be that domino effect that goes beyond that. So, people need to think about the big picture."
