Minnesota
Food benefits frozen for 20,000-plus families, primarily children, in Minnesota amid shutdown
The federal government shutdown has frozen money for another food assistance program in Minnesota, and the majority of people impacted are children.
Federal money for November food benefits under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) has been halted as the shutdown continues.
Unlike the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), whose federal funding has also been frozen, MFIP was specifically designed for young families and pregnant women. It’s also temporary, and there’s more than grocery money bundled into it. There’s also a cash benefit to help families cover diapers, medications, school supplies, and more.
However, at least half of that money is designated for groceries, and that part of MFIP is frozen.
Tabitha Pannell is a single mother of two girls. While pregnant, Pannell said she found out her eldest child, now 3 years old, had congenital heart defects and required surgery starting at birth. That’s when she applied and was approved for MFIP.
“I knew that would be challenging, and at the time, I didn’t have a good enough job to sustain providing,” Pannell said.
“And with medical complexities, that’s kind of a scary road as a new parent alone.”
Now, the $650 a month the family of three counts on for groceries won’t be coming in.
“I know I’m not going to be able to make up that particular amount,” she said.
“If these parents, like myself, we don’t have a fallback plan, that gets really tricky.”
More than 23,000 Minnesota families use MFIP each month on average, according to information provided by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
“Families are incredibly worried and concerned about how they will put food on the table. They’re worried about the long-term impacts that it might have on their children’s health,” DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown said.
About $20 million in federal funds goes to these families, mostly young kids, every month, Brown said, adding that a large chunk of that, the grocery money, isn’t coming for November.
Earlier this week, the state committed an additional $4 million to food banks in anticipation of MFIP and SNAP benefits running out.
“A lot of food pantries and food shelves, they’re an option, but they’re going to be overwhelmed,” Pannell said.
$4 million seems like a drop in the bucket, even when it comes to MFIP, which is a much smaller program than SNAP, and Brown agreed.
“Correct,” Brown said. “Right, if this goes into December, I’m incredibly concerned about what Minnesotans will be facing.”
“That’s kind of what I’m bracing myself for,” Pannell said, asked about her family’s situation if the shutdown continues beyond November.
“You know, politics aside, there’s kids that are not being fed, and if that doesn’t infuriate anyone, than that speaks to a larger issue.”
State officials are looking, but have not come up with any additional places to pull money from, Brown said.
“It’s been incredibly discouraging to know that, despite our very best efforts, unless Congress acts, our hands are truly tied,” she said.
President Donald Trump said he is ending the temporary protected status (TPS) program for Somalis in Minnesota, “effective immediately,” in a post to Truth Social Friday night.
Newsweek reached out to Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s office for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump’s decision to end TPS for Somali migrants in the North Star State has potentially major implications for immigrant communities, humanitarian protections and U.S. immigration policy.
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the country. Changes to TPS could affect not only the lives of those directly impacted, but also broader debates about deportation policies and the U.S. role in offering safe haven to people from conflict zones.
What To Know
In a post to social media, the president said, “Minnesota, under Governor Waltz [sic], is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity. I am, as President of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota.”
Trump continued, “Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER! President DJT”
TPS, established by Congress in 1990, is designed to prevent deportation of people to countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters or other unstable conditions.
This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
Minnesota
South Central Workforce Council/Minnesota Valley Action Council and Southwest Private Industry Council Receives $500,000 Grant from Department of Employment and Economic Development – Radio Mankato
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded more than $4.8 million to 39 organizations to provide more than 4,000 young people with workforce development and training opportunities.
DEED’s Youth at Work Opportunity Grants Program serves youth of color and youth with disabilities who are economically disadvantaged or considered to be at-risk. Grantees will connect young people ages 14-to-24 with good-paying jobs in high-growth industries, taking a targeted approach for youth who face the largest systemic barriers.
“Youth development and job training is crucial to the wellbeing of our communities and our state’s economy,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “At DEED, we take pride in providing opportunities and assistance for some of our most vulnerable community members. Supporting the youth of today helps ensure Minnesota has a healthy and vibrant workforce tomorrow.”
“Across Minnesota, our Youth at Work partners are helping young people gain valuable skills and pursue economic stability,” said DEED Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development Marc Majors. “We’re proud that these grants will support the next generation in building a stronger and more resilient workforce.”
Youth at Work grantees are listed below (many organizations serve regions beyond the cities in which they are located):
Achieve Twin Cities, Minneapolis – $236,200
African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS), St. Paul – $120,000
African Immigrants Community Services, Minneapolis – $100,000
American Indian OIC, Minneapolis – $100,000
Anoka County Job Training Center, Blaine – $300,000
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Virginia – $100,000
Bi-County Community Action Programs, Inc., Bemidji – $100,000
Career Solutions, St. Cloud – $242,000
Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Inc., Monticello – $300,000
City Academy High School, St. Paul – $100,000
City of Duluth Workforce Development, Duluth – $300,000
City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis – $1,350,000
City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation – Right Track, St. Paul – $1,350,000
Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio, St. Paul – $100,000
Elpis Enterprises, St. Paul – $156,000
Face to Face Health & Counseling Service, Inc., St. Paul – $100,000
Faribault Public Schools, Faribault – $190,000
Genesys Works Twin Cities, St. Paul – $200,000
Greater Bemidji/Minnesota Innovation Initiative, Bemidji – $200,000
Hennepin County Department of Workforce Development, Minneapolis – $300,000
Hired, Minneapolis – $200,000
Independent School District No. 625 (St. Paul Public Schools), St. Paul – $150,000
JET – Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, Virginia – $300,000
Karen Organization of Minnesota, Roseville – $100,000
MIGIZI Communications, Inc., Minneapolis – $142,000
Minnesota Training Partnership, St. Paul – $100,000
Port Authority of the City of Bloomington, Bloomington – $100,000
Project Legacy, Rochester – $100,000
Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, Redby– $200,000
Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc., Detroit Lakes – $200,000
RWDA 5 – South Central Workforce Council/Minnesota Valley Action Council and Southwest Private Industry Council, Mankato – $500,000
Sabathani Community Center, Minneapolis – $200,000
Smart North, Minneapolis – $200,000
Spark-Y: Youth Action Labs, Minneapolis – $200,000
The Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota, Morton – $150,000
Urban Boatbuilders, St. Paul– $100,000
Wildflyer Coffee, Minneapolis – $200,000
Workforce Development, Inc., Rochester – $200,000
Youthprise, St. Paul – $200,000
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