Columbia residents respond to SNAP standstill as local businesses work to provide help to families
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Families across Missouri are facing uncertainty after the Supreme Court temporarily paused a lower court order that would have required the federal government to fully restore food stamp benefits this month.
The pause follows a federal judge’s order requiring the Trump administration to transfer $4 billion to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by Friday. The Trump Administration recently asked the Supreme Court to halt a ruling that requires the government to fund food stamp benefits for November.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture was not required to immediately comply, leaving many SNAP recipients unsure about when—or if—they would receive full benefits.
The shutdown has affected residents in numerous ways.
“I’m a health science major, so the shutdown of a lot of different, like, health-related things—like journals and the CDC—being shut down is really bad for someone like me.” Grace Galeski said.
Some Columbia residents said the uncertainty is stressful.
“It’s like hanging above your head. When you do that, you’re like, ‘Oh, you get it for a second,’ and then the next second they take it back away. I think that was counterproductive,” Leilani Jones said.
Roughly 12% of Missourians rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. The temporary Supreme Court ruling leaves full benefits at risk, while broader legal questions in the case remain unresolved.
“Who would not be upset that people who are hungry are not going to be able to get the food they need in the United States of America, of all places?” Jane Mcelroy said.
The Missouri Department of Social Services had been working to help families access food before full federal funding was taken away.
A spokesman told ABC 17 News via email Saturday afternoon that the agency is awaiting further guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture and will comply with their directive.
“Giving someone SNAP benefits, taking them away immediately after—it’s really, really terrible stuff. I think it just shows that, like, ‘hey, we don’t really care about these people and what they need,’” Galeski added.
The Trump administration said it will move forward with partially funding the program, while DSS is coordinating with EBT to distribute the partial benefits as quickly as possible.
Several local businesses and companies in Mid-Missouri have been stepping up to ease the load for families by offering meal and grocery options during the government shutdown.
Meal programs have been appearing across the country as the shutdown continues.
All Hy-Vee locations extended their breakfast buffet and hot food service event to November 14. Meals are $3, with kids 12 and under free.
The Columbia Farmers Market is open 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and provides up to $35 in matching tokens for SNAP and WIC customers at every market. The market is also accepting donations that go directly to families.
Clovers Natural Market is providing free produce from their discount shelf and one “Grab N’ Go” meal per day for anyone with proof of an active SNAP benefit account.
Subway locations in Columbia are also offering kids’ meals featuring a mini sub, a baked cookie, and a drink to all children who order with a parent in-store.
Colton’s Steak House in Jefferson City and Grind Coffee and Bistro in California are also providing free meals for kids in-store.
Schnucks Market locations are also accepting non-perishable food and hygiene products at all locations for local food pantries until Nov. 11.