Hi Friends,

Many of you have asked me over the last few weeks how Executive Orders around federal grant freezes could impact Emergency Food Network, our partners, and the people we serve. The House Budget Committee recently released a budget blueprint that would cut SNAP funding and make it harder for students to receive free and reduced-cost meals at school by changing the Community Eligibility Provision threshold. These changes would be deeply impactful for the neighbors we serve.

EFN maintains diversified funding sources that would help us weather short term disruptions in federal funding, but the emergency food system relies on federal support. In 2024, 18% of EFN’s funding and 28% of the food we distributed came through federal programs. These programs provide our network and our community with diverse and nutritious food, serve low-income seniors, and allow us to purchase produce from local farmers for distribution to our network. In a time when grocery costs remain high, reductions in federal support will result in more hunger in our community.

While the Executive Order appears to have been rescinded, we anticipate further threats to federal funding and food assistance programs. You can help us navigate these challenges. Now more than ever, support from individuals, companies, and other civic groups will ensure that we can continue our work when faced with uncertainty from the government. You can also use your voice and tell your representatives in the House and Senate how federal funding freezes and cuts to SNAP will impact your community. Together, we can make sure that our neighbors have the food they need to survive and to thrive.

Thanks for your support,

Michelle Douglas, CEO