Government shutdown has rippling effect on local North Carolina food banks

Updated as of Nov. 10 at 9:48 p.m. to include information about the government shutdown. 

On Oct. 1 2025, the United States government failed to pass a federal budget bill causing this government to shut down and in turn pausing federal nutritional assistance programs. The shutdown reached 41 days, a historic length for the United States. On Nov. 10 the Senate passed a budget bill to reopen the government. The bill will be sent to the House of Representatives to be voted on.

The halting of funding due to the shutdown raised concerns among local food pantries and organizations. Without funding allocated or anyone to assist their movement, federal benefit programs specific to nutritional assistance were paused, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

Allied Churches of Alamance County provides food services to those who are in need. Jai Baker, executive director said it’s much more complex than people think.

“We're starting to actually get into school lunches. If you really delve into SNAP and the funding sources,” Baker said. “Not only are we talking about food stamps, we're talking about residual effects.” 

Congress failed to pass the budget for the start of the new fiscal year, prompting the shutdown. On Nov. 1, SNAP benefits were paused. Local organizations and food pantries have already seen an effect on resources and community engagement with their initiatives as people who have lost access to SNAP benefits flock to food banks. 

“You're looking at a 20% to 30% increase in demands for the services that we provide,” Baker said. 

CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest, North Carolina, Eric Aft, said it’s important to know that these individuals are kids, seniors, and family members in the community. 

“You're talking about a 39,000 person difference, not a number difference, but a person difference,” Aft said. 

Aft mentions that three years ago Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest, North Carolina reached 46,000 individuals who received assistance. In September 2025 that number reached over 85,000 individuals, marking their highest number in history. 

The shutdown has now reached 41 days, now exceeding the 2018-2019 shutdown of 35 days. 

Dillon Bono-Lunn, Elon University assistant professor of political science and public policy, said a portion of federal workers and programs are on a pause waiting for a resolution to pass. 

“We're already sort of entering unprecedented territory,” said Bono-Lunn. 

On Nov. 3, the Trump administration announced half of the regular payments would be reinstated to SNAP. A federal judge later ruled on Nov. 6 that the administration must deliver full SNAP payments. 

However, on Nov. 8, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ordered states to issue full food stamp benefits.

Over 1.4 million North Carolinians  and roughly 42 million Americans relied on SNAP in 2024. Bono-Lunn said it highlights how government policy affects people’s lives.

“It really underscores the role that the government has in the issue of food security in the United States,” Bono-Lunn said.

Aft emphasizes the effect the shutdown will have on the already on-going issues within his community.

“When we think about the impact of the shutdown,” Aft said, “We have to remember we are already facing what is, really amounts to, a food crisis and a hunger crisis in our communities.”

Food banks like Allied Churches and Second Harvest Food Bank are looking for donations and volunteers while full support from the government is on pause.