SNAP is Paused.
Our Community Can Take Action.
On October 23, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that November SNAP benefits will be paused due to the ongoing federal government funding lapse.
This pause in America’s largest food and nutrition program affects 1.4 million Michiganders — nearly 1 in 7 families who count on SNAP to afford groceries.
43% are families with children.
36% include older adults or people with disabilities.
78% are working families with an earned income.
Here at home in Ottawa and Allegan Counties, 29,400 neighbors utilize SNAP each month. Without it, more families will turn to Community Action House and other local food programs for help.
We’re preparing for a sharp increase in need — and we’re taking action:
Sourcing more food to meet rising demand.
Expanding volunteer shifts at the Food Club.
Coordinating with local partners to make every resource count.
The community’s generosity has always been our strength, and we’ll need it again.
Even small gifts—$5, $10, or $20—help keep healthy meals within reach for families working to get back on their feet. Give a generous gift today!
As we get busier and need to sort, stock, and share even more food, we’ll need more volunteers. We’re already adding more November shifts - sign up to volunteer today.
As need grows, our food purchasing costs will rise. Businesses, schools, and faith groups can help keep shelves stocked and keep our costs down.
Call your elected representatives. Tell them that programs like SNAP are not optional — they are lifelines that keep our communities healthy and stable.
Interested in exploring other ways to partner with us? Contact our team at giving@communityactionhouse.org.
Access to healthy food is foundational — not just for surviving, but for thriving.
Everyone deserves a safe home, good food, and the opportunity to build a strong foundation for their family. And everyone needs a community that believes in them - their worth, their dignity, and their potential.
Thank you for taking action to make sure none of our neighbors has to face challenges alone.
Hear more from CEO, Scott Rumpsa on Fox17 News and in the Holland Sentinel:
SNAP Freeze FAQs
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On October 23, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that, due to the federal government shutdown, November SNAP benefits will not be issued to Michigan recipients.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) helps nearly 1 in 7 Michigan families—about 1.4 million people—afford groceries each month.
This includes thousands of children, seniors, and adults with disabilities who depend on these benefits for healthy food.
78% of SNAP households include someone with earned income – but it’s still not enough to make ends meet.
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In our region, about:
18,000 people in Ottawa County receive roughly $3 million in SNAP benefits each month
11,400 people in Allegan County receive about $1.9 million each month
That’s around $4.9 million in monthly local food support suddenly paused.
The loss of this support means more families will turn to local programs like our Food Club for help.
Our team is preparing for an increase in need, and every guest will continue to be met with compassion, dignity, and choice.
We’ll adapt as we always do—but it’s important to remember: community generosity can’t replace the scale of federal food programs.
