Governor Katie Hobbs Releases Emergency Food Aid as Washington Withholds Benefits

Governor Katie Hobbs announced Wednesday that Arizona will use $1.8 million in emergency funds to help families struggling with food access after the federal government halted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The funding comes as Washington withholds $6 billion from a federal contingency fund that supports SNAP during government shutdowns. The decision affects thousands of Arizona families, including seniors, veterans, and children who rely on monthly food assistance.

"It is appalling that the Trump administration is choosing to withhold food from vulnerable Arizona families, using them as leverage in their political games," Hobbs said. "The State of Arizona does not have the money to backfill the disastrous decisions being made by Washington Republicans, but I am taking every action possible to mitigate the damage."

Emergency Package

The emergency package includes $1.5 million for food banks across Arizona to serve families who typically receive SNAP benefits. The state is partnering with the Arizona Food Bank Network, which already serves more than 770,000 people monthly. 

An additional $300,000 will fund Food Bucks Now, a program offering $30 vouchers for fresh produce at participating farmers' markets and grocery stores. The goal is to help families maintain food choices while supporting local farmers and small businesses during the crisis.

Hobbs acknowledged that the state funding falls short of the $150 million in federal food assistance Arizona typically receives each month. Drawing on her own experience using food stamps, she urged President Donald Trump to restore funding immediately.

"As someone who at times has relied on food stamps to get by, it is devastating to imagine what Arizona families are going through," Hobbs said.