Idaho began issuing partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for more than 15,000 low-income residents as of Nov. 7, with plans to provide the remaining funds to households by Nov. 12.
In response to the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Nutrition Service have directed states to provide reduced benefits for November. The reduction is about 50% of usual benefits provided.
More than 41.7 million Americans, or about 12.3% of the total population in the U.S., receive SNAP benefits. In Idaho, 6.5% of the population received SNAP benefits in 2024, an estimated 52,000 who are children. In Latah County, 1,836 people, or 4.65% of the county’s population, received SNAP benefits.
Benefits provided under the federal Women, Infants and Children program are not affected by the government shutdown, according to the Idaho Health and Welfare’s website last update on Nov. 7.
The Volunteer and Leadership Program Coordinator for the University of Idaho, Sandra Kelly, said that the Vandal Food Pantry hit their biggest turnout yet, with 48 students visiting on a day last week. She said an average of 30 students a day so far this semester have come in for food and supplies.
The Vandal Food Pantry is available to anyone with a Vandal Card. It is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Shoup Hall, room 105.
“There should be no second thoughts about coming to the pantry… I tell the classes, I hope you have a million dollars in your bank account. I really do… Come to the food pantry. There should be no stigma to it,” Kelly said.
The West Side Food Pantry, a local group made by Inland Oasis, organized a food drive and gained a record breaking 8,356 pounds of food on Nov. 9 in anticipation of SNAP benefits getting cut.
“Just because you have food stamps doesn’t mean you shouldn’t rely on community supported forms of food security,” said Nick Koenig, a volunteer and board member for the West Side Food Pantry, in an interview with The Argonaut.
The West Side Food Pantry has been organizing events at the 1912 Center in the Arts Workshop Room serving free food every Friday.
Additionally, on Nov. 22, the Book People of Moscow, Cafe Artista, Indivisible Moscow and other local organizations will be holding a Public Education Forum in the 1912 Center Lecompte Auditorium where cash and food donations will be welcomed.
“We are so grateful for how much our community has shown up for each other at this moment,” said Koenig.
In the interim, SNAP recipients are advised to visit food pantries and check their EBT cards to confirm available funds.
Food banks in Moscow include:
- Vandal Food Pantry Shoup Hall, Room 105; Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Food Pantry: Agricultural Biotechnology Building lounge
- Moscow Food Bank: 110 N Polk St.; Tuesday-Friday, 2-4 p.m.
- Westside Food Pantry: 730 W. Pullman Rd. No. 3; hours dependent on volunteer schedules
Those looking to donate food or time can visit the Idaho Foodbank at idahofoodbank.org.
Scarlet Herway can be reached at [email protected].
Tom La Pointe
The "West Side Food Pantry" is a fine group, but it has nothing to do with the Friday food distribution at the 1912 Building. That program is offered by Moscow Food Recovery, an independent group.