Arizona Gov. Hobbs dedicates more resources to mitigate loss of SNAP benefits

PHOENIX — After a tumultuous last week marked by delayed SNAP payments and legal uncertainty, Gov. Katie Hobbs took action Monday to support Arizonans facing food insecurity.

She announced an additional $1.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to expand emergency food assistance across the state. Of that total:

• $1.5 million will go to the Arizona Food Bank Network and its members to strengthen food bank operations statewide.
• $250,000 is earmarked for the Network’s Emergency Tribal Community SNAP Response, which will help purchase and deliver food to local pantries in coordination with Tribal partners.
• $300,000 will support Hobbs’ Food Bucks Now program, providing thousands of SNAP households with vouchers to buy fresh produce at participating farmers markets, mobile markets and community grocery stores.

Arizonans can find participating retailers through Double Up Arizona, which is the network the initiative is a part of.

How much has Gov. Katie Hobbs allocated to help with SNAP benefits?

The new $1.8 million allocation brings Hobbs’ total ARPA investment in food assistance to $3.6 million, building on her Oct. 30 funding that launched the Food Bucks Now program and supported food banks statewide.

Arizona is currently embroiled in a multistate lawsuit to prevent the Trump administration from suspending SNAP benefits.

“It is disgraceful that the Trump administration continues to withhold food assistance from Arizona veterans, seniors and children, even after a court order to fully fund the benefits,” Hobbs said in the Monday announcement.

SNAP helps about 42 million Americans, including approximately 900,000 Arizonans, buy groceries with EBT debit cards, also known as food stamps.

“The chaos, confusion and continued delays from the Trump administration are causing real harm to the people of Arizona,” she added. “I am proud to deliver this additional funding to provide relief for families and help them put food on the table, because Arizonans shouldn’t pay the price for dysfunctional Washington, DC politics.”

If you are dealing with food insecurity or want to help those who are, the Arizona Food Bank Network website has a list of available resources, including a database of food banks, pantries and soup kitchens that serve people in need and accept donations. Additionally, donations can be made by texting “food” to 620620.

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