Gov. Dan McKee declared a state of emergency Tuesday and announced $6 million in emergency payments for families as the Trump administration threatens to halt federal food assistance funding beginning Nov. 1.
The move would affect approximately 145,000 Rhode Islanders who receive about $29 million monthly through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“President Trump’s failure to act is cruel and unacceptable,” McKee said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. “Rhode Island will not stand by and allow families to go hungry.”
The state will deploy up to $6 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding to provide emergency payments to more than 20,000 eligible families with children — approximately 65,000 individuals. Federal regulations limit TANF funds to qualifying families with children.
If the federal government fails to fund SNAP, the first state payment would be deposited directly onto EBT cards Nov. 1, with a second payment following Nov. 16.
McKee also directed $200,000 in Social Services Block Grant funding to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to enhance capacity. The food bank has already placed an initial bulk order to ensure resources are ready for distribution to more than 100 food pantry partners statewide.
The governor issued a statewide call to action for donations to support food pantries and launched a new online hub for SNAP updates at SNAPsupport.ri.gov.
The Rhode Island Foundation announced $1 million in emergency grants, with $200,000 going immediately to the Community Food Bank and $800,000 to be distributed to nonprofits through its Community Partner Resilience Fund. The public can donate at rifoundation.org/food.
The Rhode Island AFL-CIO pledged $10,000 to the Community Food Bank and established 10 food donation locations at union halls throughout the state.
McKee was joined at the announcement by Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns President Bob DaSilva, Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO David Cicilline, Rhode Island AFL-CIO’s Patrick Crowley, Rhode Island Community Food Bank CEO Melissa Cherney, United Way of Rhode Island President and CEO Cortney Nicolato and Department of Human Services Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito.
United Way of Rhode Island is mobilizing its network to host food collections and exploring a statewide day of giving. Its 211 help center, available 24/7 in more than 200 languages, is expanding staff in preparation for increased call volume.
The Elisha Project will deliver prepared grocery bags through community organizations in Providence and Central Falls, the communities most affected by the disruption.
Under past federal government shutdowns, SNAP benefits were provided using available federal funding sources to prevent lapses in benefits.
