Little Rock, Arkansas – As the federal government shutdown drags on with no resolution in sight, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has taken decisive action to support residents facing food insecurity due to the loss of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. In response to what she described as political obstruction by Senate Democrats, Governor Sanders announced a $500,000 emergency allocation to food banks across the state and launched a new resource to guide Arkansans in need.
“What Senate Democrats are doing is unconscionable, playing political games with the food assistance that nearly a quarter million Arkansans rely on,” said Governor Sanders. “The simplest, fastest solution remains for Democrats to reopen the government and fund programs like SNAP, but in the meantime, my administration will work with our legislators, churches, and food banks to help feed Arkansans.”
Funding Begins Monday and May Be Expanded
The emergency funds will come from the state’s Restricted Reserve and were authorized by the Arkansas Legislative Council chairs. Distribution of the $500,000 will begin Monday, November 3. If the shutdown persists, Governor Sanders has committed to reviewing and potentially providing further weekly allocations.
Each of the following six food bank networks will receive an equal share of the emergency funding:
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Northwest Arkansas Food Bank in Springdale
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Food Bank of North Central Arkansas in Norfork
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Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas in Jonesboro
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River Valley Regional Food Bank in Fort Smith
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Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock, including its Lexa and Warren branches
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Harvest Regional Food Bank in Texarkana
To further support local communities, Governor Sanders encouraged these food banks to prioritize the purchase of Arkansas-grown and manufactured goods with the funds provided.
HelpArkansas.com Offers Guidance and Volunteer Options
Alongside the financial relief, the Governor announced the launch of HelpArkansas.com, a central hub where Arkansans can find up-to-date information on food assistance locations and available services during the shutdown. The site also allows residents to learn how they can volunteer or donate to support local efforts.
Arkansas’ SNAP program serves nearly 250,000 people across more than 2,700 retail locations. Due to the federal shutdown, funding for this program is scheduled to end on November 1. State officials are urging impacted residents to visit HelpArkansas.com for the latest updates and locations of nearby food banks. The Department of Human Services, which manages Arkansas’ SNAP program, will continue to share information as the situation evolves.
Governor’s Broader Commitment to Fighting Food Insecurity
This emergency action is the latest in a series of policies Governor Sanders has championed to fight hunger and improve nutrition across the state. Under her leadership, Arkansas became the first Southern state to offer free school breakfast to all public school students. The Governor also expanded access to free school lunches by covering costs for students who previously received reduced-price meals and signed the state up for the Summer EBT program to support children outside the school year.
Most recently, Governor Sanders unveiled a new farm-to-school pilot program aimed at connecting schools with fresh, locally grown produce to enhance student meals and support local agriculture.
With the future of federal benefits still uncertain, the Governor’s swift response aims to minimize hardship for Arkansas families. Her administration continues to coordinate with legislators, local partners, and community organizations to ensure no Arkansan is left behind during this challenging time.
