8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD ACCESS NOVEMBER 14, 2025 When SNAP benefits paused, Washtenaw County businesses and organizations offer aid GRAY CONNOR Journalism intern Amidst the federal government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have remained partially paused throughout the month of November. As of Nov. 12, 2025, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of an extension on the pause of SNAP, freezing a federal judge’s prior decision to force the Trump Administration to provide the funds necessary for those who receive SNAP benefits a percentage of the amount they typically receive each month. Between these two rulings, some Michiganders reported receiving full benefits. The ruling means that the federal government will not have to provide the $4 billion previously requested. With small grocery stores reporting that they have already felt the impact of SNAP being paused, resources across Ann Arbor and the greater Washtenaw County area have expanded what they offer to help bridge the gap between residents and food assistance. Food Gatherers Food Gatherers, founded in 1988 as Michigan’s first official food rescue program, supplies statewide food pantries and other food stability resources with the materials needed to operate. Serving 140 different community partners, the organization has purchased additional food to help offset the loss of SNAP benefits for those who qualify. Information on which food pantries receive aid from Food Gatherers, as well as their locations and operation hours, can found on their website at foodgatherers.org. Above left: Tokens granted by the Ypsilanti Farmers Market that SNAP recipients can redeem for fresh produce. Above middle: Free farm stand at Growing Hope's Michigan Avenue location. Above right: Argus Farm Stop flyered information around downtown with resources about their expanded Double Up Food Bucks and voucher program. has vowed to offer two free slices to Double Up Food Bucks When using a Bridge Card to make purchases at select grocery stores and farmers markets in the state of Michigan, Double Up Food Bucks match the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables purchased for free, meaning that shoppers receive double the amount for the same price. Prior to the federal government’s shutdown, the cap for this sat at $20 per shopper. With SNAP benefits paused, Double Up is temporarily lifting its cap on how many matches can be made on products grown in Michigan for those who receive SNAP benefits. The money that people have earned while using Double Up prior to the pause will remain unaffected. To find out what grocery stores and farmers markets are participating in Double Up Food bucks, view the full list and map on the group’s website at doubleupfoodbucks.org. Growing Hope Urban Farm Growing Hope has launched the Ypsi Market SNAP Gap, an emergency program to aid those who qualify for SNAP benefits and have not received their payments. Until the federal shutdown ends, shoppers who present their EBT or Bridge cards at the Indoor Ypsilanti Farmers Market will receive $40 in SNAP Gap tokens per week, valid only at Ypsilanti Farmers Markets until March 2026. “When the systems built to care for people fail, our community steps forward to weave that net ourselves," Julius Buzzard, the Executive Director of Growing Hope, said in a press release. For more on the resources offered by Growing Hope, visit the organization’s website at growinghope.net. Food pantries and farms aren’t the only resources in the community offering aid. Mama Pizza, a curry fusion pizza restaurant based in Ypsilanti, MORE MICHIGAN FOOD RESOURCES SNAP recipients are encouraged to reach out to their local MDHHS office with any questions regarding SNAP benefits or can check MI Bridges for updates. Dial 2-1-1 or visit www.mi211.org for free, confidential assistance and referrals to local food programs and support services. Visit the Food Bank Council of Michigan [www.fbcmich.org/] to locate nearby food banks and learn about additional hunger relief efforts. Call the Double Up Food Bucks program hotline at 866-586-2796, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. those who have EBT cards. “I want to help people who don’t have the money right now,” said Sam Motheram, owner of Mama Pizza. Three times a week, the restaurant also gives out free pizzas to children in the community who are without housing and the Ypsi Daytime Warming Center on a weekly basis. While SNAP benefits have officialy remained paused through the month of November, the federal government is expected to vote on Nov. 12, 2025 to unfreeze all operations, with full funding for SNAP benefits reinstated. This is an ongoing story. Readers can visit whitehouse.gov for updates on the federal government shutdown and SNAP benefits.
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