By C.S. Hendershot—
MUNCIE, IN – As the federal government shutdown continues and November SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits remain unfunded, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana is preparing for a surge in need across its eight-county service area.
According to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, over 50,000 Hoosiers in East Central Indiana, including Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph, and Wabash counties, rely on SNAP to help feed their families. With benefits paused until the government reopens, these neighbors face an uncertain and deeply concerning situation.
At the same time, federal employees, many of whom are essential workers, are still reporting for duty and are going without pay, creating even more pressure on already struggling households.
“This shutdown is more than a political stalemate. It’s a crisis for families who depend on SNAP to put food on the table,” said Bekah Clawson, President & CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “We’re seeing food insecurity already at record highs, and with benefits suspended, families are suddenly left without the most basic resources. We will do everything we can to respond, but this is a moment that requires all of us to step up.”
Emergency Response Underway
Second Harvest is activating its emergency response plan to increase food distributions across the region, prioritizing high-need communities. The food bank will be coordinating with local officials, partner agencies, and volunteers to distribute additional food in the coming weeks.
“These efforts come at a significant and unplanned cost to the organization,” Clawson said. “SNAP provides nine meals for every one meal the charitable food network can supply. Even in the best of times, we can’t fill that gap alone. We’re grateful for the incredible community partners and donors who make our work possible, but the truth is—this situation isn’t sustainable. We need government programs like SNAP to function, and we need them funded.”
How to Help
Second Harvest is calling on the community to join the effort. Monetary donations will help the food bank purchase and distribute more food to meet the growing demand. Every dollar provides up to four meals for local families.
Those wishing to support the response can donate at https://curehunger.org/donate or sign up to volunteer at https://curehunger.org/get-involved/volunteer.
For information on upcoming food distributions or to find assistance, visit https://curehunger.org/get-help.
“Second Harvest will always stand with our neighbors,” Clawson said. “We can’t control when the government reopens, but we can control how we respond, and we’ll continue to do everything in our power to make sure no one goes hungry.”
About Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana
Second Harvest Food Bank is the region’s largest hunger-relief organization, serving eight counties with the mission to feed neighbors in need and empowering the community to fight hunger and food insecurity. Learn more at curehunger.org.
Second Harvest Food Bank Information Summary
- The federal government is currently shut down because FY26 appropriation bills have not been passed.
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is funded in November and TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) orders that were already placed for delivery in November should be received by food banks.
- The USDA has announced that they will not use SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) contingency funds to pay November benefits and that states will not be reimbursed if they choose to cover benefits themselves. November benefits will not be paid until the shutdown ends.
- Over 50,000 Hoosiers in Second Harvest’s service area received SNAP benefits in September, and unless the shutdown ends, they will not see their November benefits – at least not on time. It is expected that benefits will be paid once the government reopens, but it is unclear what type of delays will take place once the state is able to begin paying benefits again. The first benefits impacted would be those scheduled to be paid on November 5.
- Thousands of federal employees across Indiana are also going without paychecks during the shutdown, putting additional strain on families and increasing demand for food assistance.
| SNAP in HHFB Service Area – September 2025 | |||
| Source: IN FSSA Monthly Management Report | |||
| County | Benefits | HH | Individuals |
| Blackford | $ 246,791.00 | 668 | 1348 |
| Delaware | $ 2,732,655.00 | 6934 | 13930 |
| Grant | $ 1,788,431.00 | 4570 | 9373 |
| Henry | $ 833,942.00 | 2311 | 4489 |
| Jay | $ 261,711.00 | 764 | 1452 |
| Madison | $ 3,024,161.00 | 7978 | 15405 |
| Randolph | $ 460,408.00 | 1115 | 2449 |
| Wabash | $ 430,204.00 | 1116 | 2305 |
| $ 9,778,303.00 | 25456 | 50751 | |
C.S. Hendershot is Director of Fundraising and Development at Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana.
