Due to the ongoing government shutdown, SNAP benefits will halt starting November 1st until the government reopens. Hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders rely on SNAP benefits — including many of our neighbors here in Providence.
Here’s some information you will need to know if you are a recipient or if you want to help support your neighbors who may be affected by the lapse in benefits.
November 1st — Date SNAP benefits will lapse if the federal government shutdown continues.
143,000 — Rhode Islanders who rely on SNAP benefits.
$6.69 — Average SNAP benefit per person per day.
$1 million per day — Approximate amount Rhode Island SNAP recipients will lose daily during the shutdown.
$29 million per month — Estimated total monthly loss in SNAP food assistance statewide.
89,000 — People served per month by the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and its network
137 — Member agencies in the statewide Food Bank network.
27,000 — Furloughed federal employees in Rhode Island affected by the shutdown.
1 month — Duration furloughed federal employees will have gone without a paycheck.
3–5 days — Estimated window before many Providence households run out of food without SNAP.
79 — Local food distribution programs in Providence expected to experience increased lines and shortages.
35,648 – Number of people served by the Food Bank’s Providence food distribution programs in FY25
Hundreds of thousands of dollars — Expected daily loss to Providence grocery stores from reduced SNAP purchases.
10 % – 15 % — Projected short-term increase in demand at Providence-area food pantries once benefits lapse.
3 million meals — Approximate number the Food Bank anticipates may be needed to offset one month of lost SNAP benefits statewide.
20 % — Share of Providence residents estimated to depend on SNAP or food assistance in some form.
1 in 6 — Rhode Island children living in households receiving SNAP support, most affected by any lapse.
$9 billion nationally — Total monthly SNAP benefits at risk if the shutdown continues through November.
4–6 weeks — Time it may take to fully restore benefits once federal funding resumes, depending on processing backlogs.
1,000 + calls per day — Increase expected on the state’s food and housing assistance hotlines after November 1.
More information about SNAP:
More resources:
PVD Food Not Bombs – meals Thursdays 9:30 to 11:30am and coffee Sundays 2 to 4pm, Kennedy Plaza
Map of meal assistance sites maintained by community
Food Banks finder tool
Want to help?
- Give to the RI Food Bank. By purchasing by the truckload from wholesalers and distributors, we can stretch a financial donation further, helping more people.
- Spread the word. Our Shutdown resources page shares all the latest resources for giving and getting help
- Donate to a local food pantry.
- Some local businesses like The Black Leaf Tea RI have started a small food pantry outside their storefront at 52 Valley St. You can also donate at Riffraff for 10% off your book purchase through November.
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