By Quinn Smalley
Photo from Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
When you go to the Arizona Department of Economic Security website, you’re greeted with an important message:
“USDA has suspended November 2025 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The United States Department of Agriculture suspended the issuance of November 2025 SNAP benefits. This program is referred to as Nutrition Assistance (NA) in Arizona. Approved participants of the NA program will be unable to collect November benefits until federal funding is released to states.”
As the government approaches an entire calendar month of being closed — and Tucson continues to be denied representation by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. — many Arizonans will be denied SNAP benefits, including food stamps. This leaves about 900,000 Arizona families vulnerable to food insecurity.
The trouble started Oct. 1, when the government shut down after Republicans and Democrats failed to negotiate a deal on the Affordable Care Act tax credit program. Due to this stalemate, the government has been unable to agree on a budget that would fund vital federal programs, grants and payroll for federal employees. These programs will remain unfunded and unable to function until a new budget is passed. Some federal employees have been furloughed, while others — such as TSA officers and air traffic controllers — are working without pay. As of Nov. 1, one of the most vital safety net programs will also be affected: SNAP, as funding runs dry.
In response to the potential lapse in SNAP coverage, Gov. Katie Hobbs and Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego are appealing to the Trump administration to allow the Department of Agriculture to release $6 billion from its contingency fund to continue SNAP benefits through the remainder of the shutdown.
Initially, Hobbs said, “Arizona does not have the capacity to backfill this [the lack of funding],” but as of Wednesday, Oct. 29, she has allocated $1.8 million to fund food banks across the state and a new emergency program called Food Bucks Now, which will provide $30 vouchers to SNAP recipients for use at local farmers markets. This allocation is a mere drop in the bucket compared with the $150 million the federal government provides Arizona monthly.
While the small allotment of money for food services is appreciated, a one-time $1.8 million allocation will not be nearly enough to feed the almost million people who rely on food assistance to get by. Tucson businesses have stepped up to help fill the gap left by a government that has decided it was not worth using our tax dollars to ensure our most vulnerable can eat without compromise.
Below are a number of businesses and services in the Tucson metro area that have committed to feeding the community during the time SNAP is not funded:
PCC’s “free food” sign. Photo taken by Reddit user ksizzle27.
- Pima Community College Downtown Campus, has free food every 1st Thursday of the month between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., on the corner of Stone and Drachman. More info.
- Interfaith Community Services, starting Nov. 7, will be hosting weekly Free Produce Giveaway events across the city at one of their six locations. No documentation required. They are also looking for volunteers. More info.
- Katsu House and Brickbox Brewery in collaboration with Missfirebites on Instagram will be offering free meals starting Nov. 5. to Tucsonans that provide their SNAP benefits card. You will be provided one Teriyaki Chicken and rice bowl with steamed vegetables. More info.
- Stacks Book Club is having a non-perishable food drive. Stacks will be matching each food donation per pound. Located at 1880 E. Tangerine Road Suite 140, check their Instagram for more info.
- Students at Pima Community College have access to the ARC (Aztec Resource Center) food bag distribution program where canned fruits and vegetables, boxed meals, breakfast items, beverages, produce (subject to availability) and bread (subject to availability) is provided. Must have a student ID or ID A# (starts with A) and your student email for access. More info here.
- KVOA reports that the Jewish and Family Children’s Services of Southern Arizona will be opening a hygiene pantry dispensing essentials like soap, diapers, toothpaste and feminine hygiene products. Located at 4301 East 5th Street. More info here.
- The Tucson City Ward 2 office is hosting a non-perishable food drive and are asking for pasta, cereal and canned proteins like tuna, chicken and beans. The food drive will be opened up to fresh produce donations from Nov. 6-7. They will need help distributing boxes on Nov. 9. Ward 2 aims to help 400 to 500 families in need. If you’d like to help volunteer, please call the Ward 2 office at 520-791-4687.
- Shaolin Kung Fu Academy and Girl Power, located at 3106 E. Fort Lowell Road, is hosting a food drive from Nov. 1 through Nov. 22,. Items will be donated to the Community Food Bank. You don’t have to be a current student to donate! More info.
If you are not in need but want to help, most of the establishments above are in need of volunteers as demand for services is anticipated to sharply increase. You can always donate food to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona by visiting one of their many drop off locations.