Maryland Leaders Brace for Food Assistance Cuts; Local Organizations Offer Resources

October 29, 2025

A multi-week government shutdown is threatening food assistance programs for hundreds of thousands of Maryland residents, with approximately 680,000 Marylanders set to lose SNAP benefits and 125,000 to lose WIC benefits starting November 1st. The Trump administration has declined to use a $6 billion contingency fund to maintain program funding and won't reimburse states that attempt to fill the gap themselves. Maryland Governor Wes Moore and other Democratic leaders are criticizing the shutdown while working to provide emergency food resources through distribution events and community partnerships.

Who is affected

Approximately 680,000 Maryland SNAP recipients, including nearly 270,000 children
Roughly 125,000 Maryland WIC benefit recipients
Furloughed federal workers in Maryland and the DMV area
Food-insecure families across the Washington metropolitan area
An estimated 15 million Americans potentially losing ACA healthcare access due to expired tax credits

What action is being taken

Governor Wes Moore is helping distribute food aid at locations like Bowie Food Pantry to furloughed federal workers
The Storehouse is hosting food giveaways at locations throughout the Washington metropolitan area every Saturday in November
Capital Area Food Bank is providing free food assistance to furloughed federal workers across the DMV
House Democrats are making efforts to force Republicans to address the food assistance crisis (though being blocked)

Why it matters

This situation represents a significant humanitarian crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of vulnerable Maryland residents, including children, in what Representative Glenn Ivey calls "the wealthiest country in the history of the planet." The loss of food assistance programs creates immediate food insecurity for families already struggling economically, while the simultaneous healthcare subsidy expirations compound hardships for millions nationwide. The refusal to use available contingency funds and reimburse states creates an unprecedented gap in the social safety net, forcing state governments and local organizations to address federal program failures without financial support.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer