COLUMBUS, Ind. – United Way of Bartholomew County is partnering with local social service organizations to assess and respond to the needs of residents affected by missed November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments caused by the government shutdown.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) helps oversee the SNAP program, also known as food stamps. Several states, including Indiana, have been instructed by the USDA that November SNAP benefits should not be processed during the Federal government shutdown, according to numerous news reports.
September 2025 data from the Indiana Division of Family Resources shows that 5,382 Bartholomew County residents rely on SNAP benefits and will be affected by the stoppage of November payments.
Residents needing additional help during this time can turn to local food assistance organizations, including Love Chapel, Community Center of Hope, and the Salvation Army. A complete listing of food resources in Bartholomew County is also available at unitedwehelp.org.
Community members who wish to help families facing food insecurity are encouraged to donate directly to these organizations:
- Love Chapel – columbuslovechapel.com
- Community Center of Hope – communitycenterofhope.org
- Salvation Army – Columbus Corps – salvationarmyusa.org/in/columbus/illinois-street-corps/
Each of these food pantries is equipped to support families in need and can leverage donations to maximize their impact, often providing meals at a lower cost than direct food contributions.
