How Food Club Network Food Clubs Are Standing Strong for Neighbors
Michigan families are facing a sudden and painful crisis. Due to the federal funding lapse, the USDA has directed the state to pause all November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits — interrupting a lifeline that helps 1.4 million Michiganders put food on the table.
Why this matters so profoundly:
For every one meal Food Clubs and food banks provide, SNAP provides nine. The charitable system cannot replace what’s being lost.
And SNAP not only helps prevent hunger at a scale that community organizations simply can’t reach alone, but it also helps keep grocery stores open, supports local farmers, and boosts local economies.
Michigan Will Feel This Hard
According to a State of Michigan press release, across the state:
- Nearly 500,000 children benefit from SNAP
- More than 38,000 veterans rely on it
- 51% of SNAP households include a person with a disability
- 78% of SNAP households include someone earning income
- SNAP spending pushed $3.6 billion into Michigan retailers in 2023
Losing that support means parents skipping meals, children going to school hungry, older adults and/or veterans choosing between medicine and dinner, and working families pushed into crisis.
How Our Food Clubs Are Responding
Each food club in the Food Club Network is doing everything possible to prepare, adapt, and continue to support families with dignity and care.
LAKESHORE FOOD CLUB | Mason County
Ludington and Mason County neighbors already face limited food access options, often with the compounding challenges of distance and transportation in their rural setting adding to the cost of living. A SNAP interruption magnifies the role food clubs play, and Lakeshore Food Club plans to:
- Continue to be a first line of defense, stabilizing households in a welcoming, dignified way.
- Encourage direct support from donors and business partners.
- Continue partnering with area farmers and producers to keep the local/regional supply chain strong and healthy.
- Participate in and encourage advocacy through factual reporting and connection with representatives.
“Lakeshore Food Club will meet this moment with the same resolve that has guided our work since day one: dignified access to fresh, healthy food in a rural community. We will stretch dollars, deepen partnerships, and widen our welcome. But we cannot do it alone. The strength of our model is the strength of our community—neighbors caring for neighbors, local producers feeding local families, and donors investing in practical, proven solutions.”
–O’Nealya Gronstal, Executive Director, Lakeshore Food Club
COMMUNITY ACTION HOUSE | Ottawa/Allegan Counties
In Ottawa and Allegan Counties, nearly 30,000 neighbors rely on SNAP to help put food on the table. Community Action House (CAH) already serves 11,000+ neighbors each year — nearly 30% of whom rely on SNAP. And the SNAP pause hits as holiday pressures intensify.
CAH is doing everything they can to source additional food, increase volunteer hours, and coordinate with other food providers. They are also:
- Supporting other local nonprofits, encouraging food drives and donations to keep shelves stocked.
- Encouraging advocacy through communications with elected representatives, both locally and nationally.
- Educating the community that SNAP isn’t charity; it’s a vital part of our nation’s infrastructure of care.
“When the shutdown ends, and SNAP benefits resume, our work won’t be over. The deeper issue is that too many working families live one missed paycheck, one car repair, or one policy decision away from crisis. That’s not inevitable. It’s a reality we can change — through stronger systems, better coordination, and a shared belief that no one in a community like ours should go hungry. That’s what we’re committed to, and where we’ll remain at work.”
–Scott Rumpsa, Executive Director, Community Action House
COMMUNITY FOOD CLUB | Kent County
In Kent County alone, 73,000 people depend on SNAP, and many Community Food Club (CFC) members do, too. Their team is preparing for the increased demand by:
- Sharing facts and debunking myths about SNAP and its beneficiaries.
- Participating and encouraging public advocacy efforts to protect SNAP funding.
- Encouraging increased support from donors, volunteers, and friends to help CFC continue serving neighbors with dignity.
“There is no charitable substitute [for SNAP], and philanthropy cannot replace government benefits. It is a trying time for our community, but you better believe we’re not giving up here at the Community Food Club. People will continue to find good food and even better community within our store.”
–AJ Fossel, Executive Director, Community Food Club
Myths vs Facts about SNAP
Food clubs regularly encounter misconceptions about SNAP and the people it serves. Equipping teams and communities with facts strengthens both advocacy and dignity. Feeding America provides the following helpful information:
| ❌ Myth | ✅ Fact |
| “These programs are a waste of taxpayer money.” | FACT: SNAP isn’t just good policy – it’s a smart investment. Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates up to $1.50 in local economic activity. Those dollars keep grocery stores open, farmers paid, and jobs in our towns. |
| “People on SNAP aren’t working.” | FACT: Most adults receiving SNAP who can work are working. 86% of SNAP households with working-age adults who aren’t disabled earned income in the past year. For many, SNAP is a bridge when wages aren’t enough or during temporary setbacks. |
| “Food banks and charities can handle hunger. We don’t need government programs like SNAP.” | FACT: Food banks, pantries, and meal programs do vital work. Last year, the Feeding America network provided 6 billion meals. SNAP delivered nine times that amount, reaching millions more families. To truly end hunger, we need both local charities and strong federal nutrition programs working together. |
| “These programs are full of fraud.” | FACT: Fraud is extremely rare – less than 1% of SNAP benefits are misused. Further cuts won’t prevent fraud; they’ll just take food away from those who need it. |
The Critical Role Food Clubs Play
“With major changes in federal food assistance programs underway, the continued growth and evolution of food clubs will be a critical storyline in the effort to meet families’ nutrition and food security needs.”
—Michigan Health Endowment Fund
Every food club is built on a shared commitment to community, dignity, and choice. The result is more than food access—it’s a movement built on respect, inclusion, and the belief that everyone deserves both nourishment and choice. That commitment endures even in challenging times that test both resources and resolve. Indeed, it is expressed daily through thoughtful, values-driven action.
Our food clubs continue to show up—with stocked shelves, welcoming spaces, and unwavering respect for every member who walks through their doors. They communicate, collaborate, and advocate. They uphold dignity and keep community at the center of all they do. In doing so, they demonstrate what shared purpose looks like in action—and we are deeply grateful for their leadership and resolve.
