MARSHALL — On Monday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced $4 million in new funding for food shelves, as thousands of Minnesotans face the loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November.

Nicole Knobloch, food and nutrition manager at United Community Action Partnership in Marshall, said she didn’t know yet if UCAP’s Lyon County food shelves would be able to receive any of that money. However, she said food shelves were preparing to see what would happen in November.

Knobloch said the Kitchen Table Food Shelf in Marshall has seen an average of 30 to 40 new families a month. Last month, there were nine new families at the Kitchen Table’s Tracy location, she said.

UCAP operates food shelves at locations in Marshall, Tracy, Westbrook, Heron Lake and Worthington.

Walz announced $4 million in new funding for food shelves during a visit to the Open Door Pantry in Eagan.

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families expects 300 food shelves and Tribal Nations will receive emergency food support funds, the Governor’s Office said in a news release.

“Food shelves provide a refuge for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans. Yet the Trump Administration has chosen to cut off these critical benefits that keep families from going hungry,” Wals said in the release. “But if Washington won’t lead, Minnesota will. This funding will serve as a lifeline to help Minnesotans weather the storm.”

The Governor’s Office said Minnesotans made almost 9 million visits to food shelves in 2024, compared to 3.8 million visits in 2021.

About 440,000 Minnesotans receive SNAP and Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) grocery benefits, the Governor’s Office said. Of those recipients, 36% are children and 18% are seniors.

“This emergency support is necessary but cannot fill the gap left behind by the loss of SNAP and MFIP benefits,” said DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown. “When food support disappears, the consequences for Minnesota are immediate and far-reaching. It impacts public health, the State and local economies, education, and workforce stability.”

DCYF expects the majority of the funds will be spent on food purchases, a news release said. Allowable costs will follow the Minnesota Food Shelf Program statute, which says grant funds will be used to purchase, transport and coordinate the distribution of nutritious food to needy individuals and families.