Community Call to Action: Supporting Our Neighbors During the SNAP Interruption

WEST BEND, WI – Julie L. Driscoll, the Chief Health & Human Services Officer for Washington County Health & Human Services issued the following Call to Action:

Due to the current federal government shutdown, FoodShare (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) benefits will not be accessible to recipients beginning November 1, 2025.

In Washington County, this means over 7,000 of our friends, neighbors, and families will face serious challenges putting food on the table. Each month, roughly $1.1 million in benefits help feed local residents—2,700 of them children, and more than half are elderly, blind, or living with disabilities.

Local food pantries are already seeing increased need—up 20% this year alone. In September, for example, Full Shelf Pantry in West Bend served 1,200 clients, including 450 families, before the SNAP suspension even began.

Washington County has always shown up for one another in hard times. Now is the moment to do it again. We are asking individuals, businesses, faith organizations, and nonprofits to help spread the word and support our local food pantries. If you are able, please consider:

• Donating a bag of groceries or making a financial contribution to a local pantry.
• Organizing a food drive in your workplace, congregation, or neighborhood.

Here at Washington County Health & Human Services, our ADRC team has already launched a month-long food drive—collecting over 1,600 items to assist those in need. We invite you to join us in this community effort.

A flyer listing local food pantries is attached. If you know someone in need, please direct them to

2-1-1 for resources and referrals.

Together, we can make sure no one in Washington County goes hungry.

Julie L. Driscoll

Chief Health & Human Services Officer

Washington County Health & Human Services

Office: 262-335-4600