10/15/2025
Federal Shutdown impacts SNAP and MFIP applicants and enrollees
Updated Oct 17, 2025 at 9:30 am
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services has announced that due to the federal government shutdown, there will not be sufficient funds to pay for November SNAP and MFIP benefits.
SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provides food assistance for individuals and families with low income. MFIP is the MN Family Investment Program that provides cash and food benefits for people with dependent children who have low income and limited assets.
Please go to the MN Department of Children, Youth & Family website for more information.
What does this mean for current recipients of SNAP or MFIP?
Current SNAP and MFIP enrollees will not receive November benefits if the federal government shutdown continues into November. November benefits will be held until further notice. Current enrollees can access October benefits on their EBT cards.
What does this mean for pending applications for SNAP and MFIP?
Pending SNAP applications can once again be approved and October benefits will be available. November benefits will not be available in the event the federal shutdown continues through November.
Pending MFIP can be approved at this time, but subject to change due to the federal government shutdown. November MFIP benefits might not be available, this is a developing situation.
What resources are available to help with food?
Cloquet Salvation Army Food Shelf
316 Carlton Avenue, Cloquet
Mondays 4:30-6:00 p.m. & Tuesdays 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
218-879-1693
Family Pathways Food Shelf
314 Main St, Sandstone (Across from the park)
Tuesday through Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-noon.
320-245-2485
Moose Lake Food Shelf
308 Elm Avenue, Moose Lake
Access through the alley - basement of Joe Jitters
Fridays 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Tri-Community Food Shelf
5597 E Hwy 210, Cromwell
The Old Trolley Station Store (Junction of Highways 210 and 73, Cromwell)
Every Friday 3:00-5:00 p.m., except for holidays & the Friday after Thanksgiving, weather permitting
218-426-4067
Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry Program – Carlton County, MN
615-12th Street Cloquet (Our Savior’s Lutheran Church)
Third Thursday of the month from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
218-336-2312 - Call for other locations and times.
Ruby’s Pantry (www.rubyspantry.org)
Pop-Up Pantry Online Preregistration (not required)
$25 donation + $2 online processing fee
The preregistration window closes at 3 p.m. the day before the distribution.
*Not all locations participate in the Online Preregistration Program.
If your distribution currently does not participate in online preregistration and you would like it to, please let your Site Leader know.
Important: Online preregistration may be “sold out” as each preregistration time slot has a limited amount of availability. You may still attend the distribution and get a food share if a location is “sold out.”
If you pre-register and are unable to attend, you can send someone to pick up your share, or the Ruby’s site will issue a food certificate that you will have 30 days/1 month to use at the site.
Cromwell Park Pavilion
5577 Cromwell Park Dr, Cromwell
2nd Thursday of the month
Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. Food bundles available 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
For more information, call Ruby’s Pantry home office at 651-674-0009 or email info@rubyspantry.org
WIC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) is a nutrition and breastfeeding program that helps eligible pregnant women, new mothers, babies and young children. WIC provides nutrition education and counseling, nutritious foods, and referrals to health and other social services. As of Monday, October 20th WIC services are still operating in Minnesota. WIC recipients should keep their appointments and continue shopping with their eWIC card and using their benefits. For additional information or guidance, WIC participants can call our WIC clinic at 218-878-2853, visit the MN WIC Program website or check out the MN WIC shopper app.
