By Aaron Dorman
The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana has had a record year for food distribution; the organization is also bracing for longer lines and increased demand.
Just in time for the holiday season, roughly 600,000 Indiana residents are set to see their SNAP benefits halt on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown.
NWI Food Bank President and CEO Victor Garcia noted the organization has a “good amount of product” on hand in the short-term, but did not sugarcoat the situation.
“The food bank has significant concerns about a prolonged government shutdown,” Garcia said. “We’re committed to doing everything we can. But the food bank can’t possibly meet the increase in demand if there is a disruption (in SNAP benefits).”
Roughly 10% of residents across seven counties in northwestern Indiana — 90,000 — depended on access to food stamps last year, according to public data.
In the event that SNAP benefits are paused next week, Garcia said the food bank would look to create additional mobile distribution sites and has been in contact with government officials in Lake County about how they can assist the food bank.
Other local food organizations, such as the NWI Food Council, characterized the situation as uncertain and ominous.
“We’re largely in the dark just like everyone else,” said Becca Tuholski, Farm to Food Access manager for the Food Council. “The uncertainty is frustrating and scary, especially with so much on the line for so many families.”
Several of the Food Council’s programs will be affected by the SNAP funding disruption. The organization’s Double Up initiative allowed SNAP beneficiaries to ‘double’ their SNAP benefits — up to $20 a day — to purchase produce from local farmers. Tuholski also warned of downstream effects of a prolonged shutdown, such as local farmers and grocery stores taking a financial hit.
One program that will not be affected, Tuholski said, is the Council’s FarmHer to Mama program, which provides direct food access to first-time new moms who are WIC-eligible.
The Food Council will also be hosting an additional Market Mamas pop-up market in November for moms in LaPorte County; attendees can receive $30 in vouchers to use for “fresh, local fruit and vegetable purchases.”
Currently, Garcia said the Food Bank serves 1,700 seniors who rely on the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and noted they had enough resources for there to be no disruption to that service through the end of the year.
“We have a resilient community,” Garcia said. “And we’re very fortunate that the NWI community is supportive.”
The looming SNAP pause comes at a time when the food assistance program is already undergoing a restrictive overhaul as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed over the summer.
The act mandated almost $200 billion in cuts to the SNAP program and raised the age for work requirements from 54 to 64. In addition, Indiana added a new restriction on using SNAP for candy and soft drinks, which is set to go into effect Jan. 1.
Food insecurity is an ongoing problem in the Region, with almost 30 neighborhoods designated by the USDA as food deserts.
Garcia emphasized that the majority of SNAP beneficiaries are children, seniors, veterans and residents with special needs.
“Sometimes we struggle to picture who are friends and neighbors are who rely on SNAP,” Garcia said. “It’s important to clarify that.”