Chris Ford, President & CEO River Bend Food Bank
River Bend Food Bank is preparing once again to weather the storm as the federal government entered a partial shutdown at midnight Jan. 31.
President and CEO Chris Ford said thankfully funding is secure for food assistance programs through the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30. At the same time, he said, food bank staff are preparing for the possibility of increased need at pantries and meal sites.
“We are watching the current government shutdown very closely,” said Ford. “While USDA nutrition programs like SNAP, WIC, and TEFAP remain fully funded and unaffected by the partial shutdown, many federal employees, active-duty military members, and contracted workers could soon miss paychecks.”
According to Feeding America, a network of more than 200 food banks across the nation, a brief shutdown that lasts a few days should not be consequential to food bank operations.
“After already enduring the longest full shutdown in our nation’s history just months ago, many families simply don’t have the cushion to weather another disruption.”Ford said Feeding America and other experts are optimistic the partial shutdown will be resolved, but River Bend is also preparing for the possibility of increased need for food support.
“When people lose income, their ability to afford food is immediately at risk,” Ford said. “After already enduring the longest full shutdown in our nation’s history just months ago, many families simply don’t have the cushion to weather another disruption.”
The fall 2025 government shutdown and accompanying SNAP freeze caused hardship for millions and strained food banks across the nation. River Bend purchased six million meals to assist its hunger-relief partners thanks to significant generous community support and other emergency state funding provided during the shutdown. Those meals provided critical hunger relief to individuals across River Bend’s 23-county service area.
Ford said he is grateful to community members and organizations who stood with River Bend during the fall shutdown. Whether it is facing the current partial shutdown or future SNAP cuts associated with the One Big Beautiful Bill (HR1), River Bend remains committed to ensuring food access for individuals, families, children and seniors.
“We stand ready to support anyone who needs help putting food on the table,” said Ford.