With the SNAP program scheduled to run out of funds, nonprofits dedicated to serving the hungry were bracing for a spike in visitors.

As the federal government shutdown stretches on, food pantries in Monroe County face rising demand, fewer donations and growing uncertainty.

Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College and the University of Michigan are preparing for the influx of students following the pause in SNAP benefits in November.

The East Hampton Town Board authorized an “emergency appropriation” of $30,000 during a special meeting on Thursday, granting $10,000 apiece to three local food pantries: The East Hampton Food Pantry, the Springs Food Pantry and the Montauk Food Pantry. The town used money left over in the 2025 budget from a federal nutrition grant program.

Jacksonville-area food pantries are seeking public support to cope with increasing demand due to the ongoing federal shutdown.

New Life Community Alliance has launched a emergency relief fund to address the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits amid the government shutdown.

"We've never in the 18 years of Minnie's Food Pantry being here, in the 31 million meals we've served, had to turn away a person," Chery Jackson said. "Am I concerned about it today? Absolutely."

One Kalamazoo County food bank says they've seen roughly double the amount of people they normally serve in the last week.