Ways to Help SE Minnesota Neighbors Struggling as SNAP Benefits Run Low

Something sad and scary could come true on Saturday, November 1st. If the government doesn't settle on a budget, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is sometimes also known as food stamps, will no longer have funding. That would mean millions of Americans won't be able to get the affordable groceries that they need.

CBS News reports that around 42 million Americans rely on SNAP. That's a lot of our neighbors who are worried if they'll be able to afford groceries in just a few days.

I feel very thankful that I'm able to afford the groceries that I need at my home, but watching something like this happen made me wonder, 'What in the world can we do to help people who aren't able to afford necessary groceries?'

ALSO READ: SE MN State Parks Allowing Deer Hunting - How to Stay Safe as a Visitor

How to Help Those Affected by SNAP Funding Running Out

Thankfully, for those who will be affected by this cut, there are some options to get help around SE Minnesota. And if you are someone who is lucky enough not to have to worry about this upcoming cut, there are ways that you can help out your neighbor.

Get our free mobile app

One way you can help is by donating to a local food shelf.

That could either be donating food items or it could be donating money. Food shelves typically prefer monetary donations because they can purchase the specific items they're running low on for much cheaper than you and I can. Therefore, a monetary donation goes much further than a food donation.

You can also donate your time to a local food shelf. Some food shelves need people to bag groceries in advance, act as a store clerk, etc.

Invite a neighbor over for a meal.

This one may be tricky, but if you know someone personally who is struggling, consider inviting them over for a meal. Don't make a big deal about it, just treat it as a normal invite to come hang out, there just also happens to be a meal involved.

Take a peek at the local Free Little Food Pantries and see if they need to be restocked.

We've got a map of Free Little Food Pantries around Rochester that you can take a peek at. If there's one close to you, stop by every once in a while and see if it needs to be restocked at all.

Even if funding for SNAP does get approved, funding was still cut back in July when OBBBA was signed into law. It cut some of the funding to SNAP and made it harder for people to become eligible.

So even if funding doesn't end up running out on November 1st, there are still families who will have a hard time getting the healthy groceries they need, and the above tips can still greatly help a neighbor who needs it.