Following the government’s shutdown on Oct. 1, many government-funded organizations and federal workers have been surviving on their last few allowances until the government can pass this upcoming fiscal year’s funding bills and reopen.
For the time being, several government-funded programs are struggling to supply the needs of millions of Americans across the country. And as of Nov. 1, over 42 million Americans are preparing to lose their food benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Some states, such as Wisconsin and Oregon, were able to work quick enough to access federal money through requesting SNAP payments to its Electronic Benefit Transaction (EBT) equipment and issue November’s benefits before funding was cut short.
The Trump administration criticized this action, stating that states were “trying to seize what they could what they could of the agency’s finite set of remaining funds, before any appeal could even be filed and to the detriment of other States’ allotments,” in a statement to the Supreme Court.
In Michigan and other states who weren’t able to access SNAP as quickly, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered the Trump administration until Nov. 7 to fully supply payments through SNAP.
“The defendants failed to consider the practical consequences associated with this decision to only partially fund SNAP,” Judge McConnell said. “They knew that there would be a long delay in paying partial SNAP payments and failed to consider the harms individuals who rely on those benefits would suffer.”
However, on Nov. 1, in an emergency order, the Supreme Court ruled that through the Trump administration’s appeal of McConnell’s ruling, the administration could temporarily block the order to supply funding through SNAP and instead provide partial payments throughout the month until a more appropriate solution is found.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a statement following the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“It is despicable the lengths the Trump Administration will go to block food assistance for 42 million Americans, including families, seniors, veterans and active military,” Attorney General Nessel said. “Thanks to the quick actions from the MIchigan Department of Health and Human Services, some Michiganders were able to receive their benefits this week, but access to food is not a legal game. I will not be deterred despite the President’s continued maneuverings and will continue to fight until every qualified resident receives the benefits they rightfully deserve.”
Oakland University’s Student Congress (OUSC) has been working with administrators to help offer some relief to those facing food insecurity on campus. OUSC President Marcus Johnson responded to the cutbacks and expressed his plans to help alleviate the stress for hungry students on campus.
“Students are already walking a financial tightrope, and SNAP cuts are making that rope thinner by the day. For many students, especially those who are low-income, first-generation, or supporting families, SNAP benefits can be the difference between stability and skipping meals. I’ve shared my concerns directly with President Pescovitz, and OUSC is committing $3,000 to support the campus food pantry so it can stay stocked during this period of uncertainty. At the end of the day, no student should have to choose between paying tuition and eating, and we’re going to do everything we can to support them,” Johnson said.
According to a survey conducted by The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University — between 2023 and 2024 alone, 41% of students nationwide faced food insecurity on college campuses.
Oakland’s Golden Grizzlies Pantry has been a resource for students in need of free food and personal hygiene items. Located in the Lake Superior room of the Oakland Center, it is a donation-based organization that works with Swipe Out Hunger to help end food insecurity on college campuses.
Leah Musier, a Bachelor of Social Work intern who is currently working at the Golden Pantry, accounts the monthly totals of students who come into the pantry for supplies.
“I have noticed — specifically at the end of October and the past days of November have been definitely busier,” Musier said.
As a donation-based organization, the Golden Grizzlies Pantry is heavily reliant on the OU community and other donors to help supply their shelves. Musier expressed important items to bring when donating to the pantry.
“All items are good items, things like pasta and pasta sauce move well, microwaved meals, like mac and cheese cups, the little Chef Boyardi things or little microwavable soups,” Musier said. “We have some cups of fried rice as well as boxed dishes. Snack foods — foods that are easy to grab like apple sauce, fruit cups, granola bars all that stuff goes super super quick. Condiments are something we don’t get donated often but usually moves quick, same thing with seasoning. Fresh produce, whenever we get fresh produce — which is pretty rare, is usually gone within a day. Bottled water as well, but honestly anything helps.”
As the government decides what to do next on supplying funding to the millions of Americans facing food insecurity, it is up to local communities to lean on each other and provide that aid.
