Walz calls on feds to fund SNAP benefits during shutdown

(MNN)-The State of Minnesota is using four-million dollars in emergency funds to help food shelves as they face increasing demand. Governor Tim Walz says they’re going to need more help if 440,000 Minnesotans lose SNAP benefits November 1st. Walz said Monday during a food shelf visit, “I want to be very clear, USDA during the shutdown has a contingency fund that they could release just like us. They are choosing not to.” US House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters the five-billion dollars in contingency funds are not “legally available” to cover SNAP benefits right now. Food assistance payments end Saturday if the federal government shutdown continues.