House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Township) today highlighted the state’s proactive response to protect Michigan families impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown and the resulting suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The State Budget Office today announced that $4.5 million will be transferred to the Food Bank Council of Michigan from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services budget. The funds will help food banks in all 83 Michigan counties continue providing assistance to individuals and families who rely on SNAP benefits.

“Families shouldn’t have to worry about how they’ll put food on the table because of political gridlock in Congress,” Bollin said. “I appreciate that the state is using resources we put in place through a responsible, bipartisan budget to help fill the gap and keep people fed.”

Bollin emphasized that while federal leaders remain at an impasse, Michigan’s state government has shown how bipartisan cooperation can protect residents from unnecessary hardship.

“Just a few weeks ago, both Lansing and Washington were staring down the possibility of a shutdown,” Bollin said. “Here in Michigan, Republicans and Democrats worked together to pass a continuing budget plan that kept critical services running and ensured stability for our communities. Congress should take a page from our playbook — put people before politics and get the federal government back on track.”

The state’s bipartisan budget also includes several initiatives that will help support Michiganders, including money for the Double Up Food Bucks program, which matches SNAP purchases of fruits and vegetables to help families stretch their grocery budgets. The state budget also funds the statewide 2-1-1 program, which connects people to local resources such as food banks, housing assistance, and other critical services.

Earlier this week, the Fair Food Network announced additional flexibility in the Double Up Food Bucks program for families affected by the SNAP interruption, including removing expiration dates on unused benefits and expanding eligible purchases to include frozen fruits and vegetables.

People affected by the federal SNAP delay can call 2-1-1 to be connected with local food and community resources or visit the Food Bank Council of Michigan website to locate nearby food banks and learn about additional hunger relief efforts.