SNAP is Paused.
Our Community Can Take Action.
On October 23, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that November SNAP benefits would be paused due to the ongoing federal government funding lapse. With SNAP still uncertain, thousands of local families will need help bridging this gap. This is what we’re ready for, and why we’re here.
This pause in America’s largest food and nutrition program affects 1.4 million Michiganders — nearly 1 in 7 families who count on SNAP to afford groceries.
43% are families with children.
36% include older adults or people with disabilities.
78% are working families with an earned income.
Here at home in Ottawa and Allegan Counties, 29,400 neighbors utilize SNAP each month. Without it, more families will turn to Community Action House and other local food programs for help. We’re estimating our service may double in November, with an additional 1,800 families calling on us for support.
We’re preparing for a sharp increase in need — and we’re taking action:
Sourcing more food to meet rising demand.
Expanding volunteer shifts at the Food Club.
Coordinating with local partners to make every resource count.
The community’s generosity has always been our strength, and we’ll need it again.
Impacted by SNAP changes? We can help.
Right now, volunteer power is critical. We’re adding 35 additional volunteer spots at Food Club each week in November. Will you join us?
Gifts of every size help us respond. Every $85 can provide a month of healthy food and support for one more family—a tangible way to share hope this season.
Help keep shelves stocked and keep our costs down.
Want to drop off a food donation? Bring items to our drop off area on the side of Food Club: 739 Paw Paw Drive.
Call your elected representatives. Tell them that programs like SNAP are not optional — they are lifelines that keep our communities healthy and stable.
Interested in exploring other ways to partner with us? Contact our team at giving@communityactionhouse.org.
Access to healthy food is foundational — not just for surviving, but for thriving.
Everyone deserves a safe home, good food, and the opportunity to build a strong foundation for their family. And everyone needs a community that believes in them - their worth, their dignity, and their potential.
Thank you for taking action to make sure none of our neighbors has to face challenges alone.
SNAP Updates and Information
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Over the last week, there’s been continued uncertainty around SNAP benefits, with back-and-forth on timing, payment amounts, and more. We’ve seen more families calling on us at Food Club, and we’re staying ready and prepared for anyone who might turn to us for help.
We’re continuing to track changes – and right now, we’re optimistic that the government will reopen soon, and with it, that SNAP benefits will resume. In the meantime, we know that even if there’s a full vote to reopen the government, there will be a delay of several days before people see their benefits come through.
Impacted by the SNAP benefits pause? Food Club can help. If you or someone you know needs food support, we’re ready to help.
If you’re already a member, we can provide extra support if you’re a SNAP recipient. When you’re at the front desk, ask about SNAP support, and show your Bridge Card.
If you or someone you know receive SNAP benefits, you can still qualify for a Food Club membership! Visit the front desk during our open hours to sign up, and bring your Bridge Card with you.
Ready to take action? Our community’s action and generosity can change the way local families experience this challenge.
Food Club is busier, and we need volunteers to keep things running smoothly. We have 42 open slots for this week at FC for Checkout, Warehouse and Floor shifts. Will you sign up today?
Every $85 can cover our monthly costs to serve one more family at Food Club. Consider a gift during this season of need!
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In an update shared by the USDA on November 5, it was announced that families will receive 65% of their regular SNAP benefits, rather than the 50% that was originally shared. While this change does decrease the amount families will see their grocery budgets shrink, it still leaves a significant gap.
SNAP recipients who normally receive their benefits on the third, fifth or seventh of the month will receive partial SNAP benefits on Saturday, November 8. All other SNAP recipients will receive partial benefits on their normally scheduled date.
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In response to a court challenge, the Trump administration announced that it would release partial funding for SNAP, only covering half of the normal payment families typically receive. What this means:
Families receiving SNAP will only receive half of the amount they’re typically given in the month of November.
There will be lengthy, and unknown, delays before families see their benefits. It may be weeks before families receive SNAP support.
With this partial payment, the gap that families are facing in their food budgets is smaller than if SNAP remained fully paused. But the delay in this smaller payment means that thousands of neighbors are without food support in early November.
This update also means that this emergency fund – an Agriculture Department contingency fund – is drained, leaving families who receive SNAP benefits undersupported in November, and unsure what will happen next for their benefits if SNAP isn’t restored.
Thousands of local families will still need support – and will turn to our services. We’re continuing to prepare for more families, and need our community’s help: filling volunteer shifts, giving generously, and advocatingfor SNAP benefits to return.
Learn more here.
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Updated 10/24/2025
On October 23, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that, due to the federal government shutdown, November SNAP benefits will not be issued to Michigan recipients.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helps nearly 1 in 7 Michigan families—about 1.4 million people—afford groceries each month.
This includes thousands of children, seniors, and adults with disabilities who depend on these benefits for healthy food.
78% of SNAP households include someone with earned income – but it’s still not enough to make ends meet.
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In our region, about:
18,000 people in Ottawa County receive roughly $3 million in SNAP benefits each month
11,400 people in Allegan County receive about $1.9 million each month
That’s around $4.9 million in monthly local food support suddenly paused.
The loss of this support means more families will turn to local programs like our Food Club for help.
Our team is preparing for an increase in need, and every guest will continue to be met with compassion, dignity, and choice.
We’ll adapt as we always do—but it’s important to remember: community generosity can’t replace the scale of federal food programs.
