For Roseville residents and the millions of others across the nation losing SNAP benefits, food shelves and nonprofits will become a lifeline, but they too may struggle to keep up with the demand.

By Roberta Kaufman

Update: As of Nov. 4, Federal judges have ordered Trump’s USDA to fund SNAP with emergency money. The administration says it will pay out benefits, but only half the amount people normally receive. The Roseville Reporter will continue to monitor the impact of the shutdown and federal interventions.

While there may be a lot of good eating in Roseville, some of our neighbors and friends may be going to bed and waking up hungry. 

Benefits related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ran out on Saturday amid the federal government shutdown, despite orders from Federal judges to fund the program with emergency money.

SNAP benefits, often called food stamps, are administered by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. They’re intended to supplement work earnings to stretch food budgets for those with lower incomes. For example, one person would receive a maximum monthly benefit of $292; a family of four $975; a family of six, $1,390. Other factors are taken into consideration to determine the final amount received.

The standard benefit was adjusted in 2024 to account for rising food prices as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The lack of funds being loaded on EBT cards for eligible citizens has a ripple effect, not just on the individuals counting on the dollars to purchase food. Benefits also play a vital role in Minnesota’s economy. Grocery stores, farmer’s markets and special stores such as dollar stores, convenience stores, Walgreens and CVS that also sell food items will be impacted. Additionally, food shelves, already strained by a growing number of people needing to supplement their paychecks and stretch food dollars, are expecting to share the burden. 

National, State, County and Local Data

Nationwide, 12.3% of the population receives SNAP.  In Minnesota, about 453,900 people used SNAP benefits during fiscal year (FY) 2024— 7.8% of the state’s population.

Based on 2024 data from the Food and Nutrition Service, Minnesota has fewer SNAP recipients than three of the four surrounding states (South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa; North Dakota has the least).  By way of comparison, in South Dakota, home of Senator John Thune, Senate majority leader, 8.1% of its residents are on SNAP. In Louisiana, home state of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, 18.4% of his constituents are receiving SNAP.

The most recent Ramsey County Food Security Needs Assessment from 2022 indicated that a total of 82,912 residents received SNAP benefits.  When viewed by racial and ethnic identity, that equals 5% of the White residents; 42% of Black and African American residents; 29% Asian; 12% Hispanic; 19% American Indian and 12% of Mixed Race residents.

In Roseville, while the number of food insecure individuals (approximately 14% of the city’s population) appears to be less than the other Ramsey County vicinities (see the map from Ramsey County website), the pandemic’s lasting impact and current conditions give some residents pause. Increasing food, clothing and heating costs, lack of affordable housing, expenses associated with medical and prescription needs coupled with under-employment or job loss can exacerbate hopelessness.

Support for Food Shelves

According to The Food Group, in 2024, close to 9 million Minnesotans visited food banks , more than 1.5 million more visitors than in 2023. That’s 4,705,574 adults, 3,230,534 children?. Given the length of the current federal shutdown, recent layoffs by local corporations such as Target and the withholding of EBT benefits, the number of residents seeking out food assistance from food shelves will continue to grow.

 On Oct. 27,, Governor Tim Walz announced $4 million in emergency state funding to support food shelves in the state. The one-time funding will come from the Department of Human Services’ emergency services account and the Family First Prevention Services Act. The state will distribute the money through Minnesota’s existing food shelf network. Each food shelf and tribal nation will receive a base amount of $5,000, and additional funding based on local need.

Finding a Food Shelf

Minnesota has more than 300 food shelves and meal programs to help support families when they need help right away.

• Find a local food shelf using the Hunger Solutions’ map.
• Minnesota Food HelpLine  |  888-711-1151 Monday – Friday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
• Ramsey County Navigators | 651-266-8500 (Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) Interpreters (English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Oromo, Karen, Vietnamese) are available to help navigate Ramsey County services including financial assistance services, social services, employment assistance and property tax. 

Food Distribution Services

Keystone Community Services, founded in 1939, began as a small neighborhood community center. Today, the nonprofit reaches 50,000 Ramsey County residents through a variety of programming and services.  Its mission is to strengthen the capacity of individuals and families to improve their quality of life.  Food support is one of the ways Keystone lives out the mission and their vision of giving “individuals, youth, families and seniors…the resources and skills they need to live with hope and dignity.’’

In Roseville, Keystone’s public food distribution sites scheduled for November are:

1. Roseville Public Library on Hamline – Mon., Nov. 17 (2-4 pm)
2. St. Michaels Lutheran Church on County B – Tues., Nov.11 (2-4 pm)
3. Aŋpétu Téča Education Center on County B – Wed., Nov. 19 (10 am-noon)
4. Homebound deliveries for those with mobility issues

Keystone has a free grocery delivery program to increase food access for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities. Food is sourced from Keystone Community Food Center and packed by volunteers. Those who qualify can receive a delivery once a month.

5. Every Meal (see the Roseville Reporter story featuring this nonprofit organization)  provides backpacks filled with food for the weekend for some elementary students.

Additional Donations

Residents who wish may donate financially to any of the food shelves in the Roseville area. Food drives to collect most needed shelf-stable food items can also be organized through groups at religious or civic organizations. Contact a local food shelf to identify what is most needed.

(Image via Getty Images)