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SNAP: AZ Gov. Hobbs visits Phoenix food bank
As fallout from the looming pause in SNAP food assistance benefits continues to accumulate, the demand for food bank services is also increasing. On Oct. 30, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs toured one of the biggest food bank in Arizona, and FOX 10's Brian Webb has more on the visit.
PHOENIX - As of Oct. 30, the U.S. government shutdown remains ongoing, and there is a now a new lifeline for Arizona families who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The backstory:
According to reports from the Associated Press, Trump administration officials have said that funding for SNAP will run out on Friday, Oct. 31. The AP is also reporting that the Trump administration has rejected using more than $5 billion in contingency funds to keep SNAP benefits flowing into November.
By the numbers:
Data from the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) shows 855,273 people receiving SNAP benefits as of September 2025, including around 508,000 adults and 347,000 children.
"On average, [Nutrition Assistance] households receive approximately $359 each month to purchase groceries for their families," DES officials wrote.
Data also shows that of the over 855,000 people receiving SNAP benefits, about 442,000 of them, or about 51.7% of all program participants, live in Maricopa County. The total amount of SNAP benefits issued was over $155 million.
SNAP benefits in Arizona will not be issued in November: Here's what to know
Hundreds of thousands of Arizonans will not get SNAP benefits for November, as the federal government shutdown continues. Here's more about SNAP, as well as the potential impact of the funding pause.
Local perspective:
The ongoing government shutdown has had an impact on demand for food bank services. At St. Mary's Food Bank on Oct. 30, there was a line that wrapped around the entire building, and then stretched down Thomas Road.
"We are living paycheck to paycheck, so we need the food," said one person.
The drivers were greeted by a small army of workers and volunteers, who wer handing out boxes filled with food.
The food bank reportedly served 1,400 people on Oct. 29 alone.
Latest Update:
On Oct. 29, we reported that Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs is pledging $1.8 million to help those losing their benefits, with $1.5 million going to food banks across the state to fill the gap where SNAP leaves off, and another $300,000 going to an emergency fresh food program.
Gov. Katie Hobbs volunteered at St. Mary's Food Bank on Oct. 30, where she handed out boxes of food. During the event, Gov. Hobbs said all options are on the table when it comes to SNAP benefits, including a possible state of emergency that is meant to free up more money, like Arizona's $1.6 billion rainy day fund.
Gov. Hobbs also blamed President Donald Trump for the present situation.
What Gov. Hobbs Said:
"I will reiterate this over and over again: the President could end this right now," Gov. Hobbs said. "There are contingency funds specifically for this purpose, and he should release those funds so that people aren't hungry. Instead, he's choosing to use them as leverage."
What's next:
If the shutdown continues, SNAP benefits will run out on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Rally calls for protection of SNAP, WIC benefits
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Phoenix area rally calls for SNAP, WIC protection
In 2024, over a third of Arizonans receiving SNAP benefits were single mothers, and on Oct. 30, a rally calling for the protection of SNAP and WIC benefits was held in Downtown Phoenix. FOX 10's Kenzie Beach reports.
Organizations like Living United for Change in Arizona held a rally outside the Department of Economic Security on Oct. 30, demanding that funds for SNAP and WIC be restored.
Big picture view:
As we mentioned above, SNAP benefits are set to pause on Nov. 1. Funding for WIC, which is described by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, is expected to run out on November 15.
There are more than 150,000 families utilizing WIC in Arizona.
What they're saying:
"The reality hit us this week that without that, we don't want our families having to decide between putting gas in their car to get to treatment or feeding their kids at dinner," said Jody Boyd, founder and CEO of The Singletons. "And those are the choices that these families are going to be facing moving forward. It's scary for everybody. So we want to help as much as we can, but at the same time, our resources only go so far."
For many families, lingering fear and worries come with the unknown. Even if the government shutdown is lifted, it is unclear how long it will take for these funds to be disbursed.