The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan benefits that help thousands of Iowans buy food each month will not be distributed Saturday if the federal government is still shut down. As the country prepares for the impact of that pause, Iowans are looking for ways to help people in need. Here’s what food banks said is the most helpful.
A surge in student hunger — brought on by the suspension of a federal food assistance program beginning Saturday — will manifest as crisis in classrooms, decreased academic performance and increased behavioral challenges, Iowa school leaders say.
Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday announced plans to deploy the Iowa National Guard, match $1 million in food bank donations and recruit volunteers to help feed families if federal SNAP benefits stop Nov. 1 amid the federal government shutdown.
Republican Iowa U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has introduced legislation to fund federal food assistance that is scheduled to dry up next month if the government shutdown continues.
Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered Iowa HHS to work with food banks as federal officials warn that SNAP benefits may not go out Nov. 1. Food pantries say they’re already seeing higher demand and they’re bracing for a surge if payments are disrupted.
Iowa’s all-Republican U.S. House delegation is urging Senate Democrats to back a bipartisan plan to reopen the government, warning that the 20-day shutdown is hurting families, farmers and veterans across the state. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Republicans are refusing to negotiate over what he called a looming health care crisis at the center of the government shutdown stalemate.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is warning Iowans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits that November funds may not be issued onto SNAP cards as the federal government shutdown approaches its third week with no end in sight.
The federal government shutdown hasn’t affected food aid yet, but Iowa’s contingency funding for WIC could run out if the standoff in Washington drags on.
The federal government officially entered a shutdown at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. From Social Security checks and SNAP benefits to TSA lines, national parks and veterans’ services — here’s what stays open, what stops, and what’s at risk during a shutdown.
National bus tour rolls through Cedar Rapids to rally opposition to Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package
Iowa State Auditor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand rebuked party labels and fielded questions during a town hall Wednesday in Waukee. It was the first stop of 100 that Sand will make across the state this summer and fall. He’s slated to visit all of Iowa’s 99 counties, including two stops in Lee County, to its two county seats.
Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley praised President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill" Wednesday as 80-plus Iowa faith leaders warned of devastating impacts on vulnerable populations in Iowa from changes to federal social safety net programs.
Reductions in spending and tightened eligibility requirements on social safety net programs like Medicaid and food assistance being considered by Republicans in Congress will significantly reduce access to health care and food assistance, impacting thousand of low-income individuals and families across Linn County.
The panel — moderated by Linn County Supervisor Sami Scheetz — will discuss how changes proposed under the federal reconciliation and tax bill could affect area residents with a special focus on potential cuts to SNAP and Medicaid.
Under the waiver approved by the USDA, starting Jan. 1, 2026, Iowans who receive SNAP won’t be able to use their benefits to purchase items including garden seeds and food-producing plants, candy, gum, soft drinks, lemonade, fruit snacks, certain granola bars and caramel corn.
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