Helena Food Share Braces for Surge, SNAP Uncertainty Raises Alarm

Helena Food Share is warning that demand for emergency food assistance in Lewis and Clark County could climb in November as a federal government shutdown leaves some employees furloughed and creates uncertainty around SNAP benefit distribution. The nonprofit reported a 28 percent increase in new households since moving to its Community Food Resource Center on Oct. 8, 2024. In October, 112 new households signed up, and the program currently serves roughly 175 clients per day on average, with some days nearing 300.

The Food Share serves an area that includes about 6,000 SNAP recipients, with roughly 4,600 recipients in Lewis and Clark County according to state data. Staff said they expect more residents to turn to the pantry if benefits are delayed, prompting the organization to ramp up food drives and host its annual Turkey Challenge on Nov. 21 at the Lewis and Clark Library.

The local implications are significant. Food insecurity has direct public health consequences, especially for people managing chronic conditions, pregnant people, children, and older adults. Interruptions in SNAP benefits can force families to choose between paying for housing and medication and buying nutritious food, which can exacerbate illness, increase stress, and raise demand for other community health services. Helena Food Share’s recent surge in new households illustrates how quickly community safety nets can become strained when public programs falter.

Lewis and Clark Public Health recently held a community baby shower for expectant mothers on Nov. 2, an event that underscores the intersection of food access and maternal health. Nutrition supports during pregnancy reduce risks for low birth weight and other complications. As emergency food providers absorb increased need, preventative public health programs may also face pressure if resources shift toward crisis response.

The situation highlights broader policy challenges. SNAP and other federal programs are critical components of the local health infrastructure. When federal decisions create gaps or uncertainty, local nonprofits and public agencies are left to mitigate harms with limited budgets. Residents and community organizations often shoulder the immediate burden, while longer term solutions require policy choices that ensure timely and reliable benefit delivery.

Beyond food security, several other local developments were reported. The Montana Public Service Commission agreed to extend a negotiation deadline with Helena Valley water and wastewater provider North Star Development. The Montana Historical Society closed the 1888 original governor’s mansion to the public beginning Nov. 1 for porch, deck and railing repairs, with tours expected to resume later in the year.

For now, Helena Food Share is appealing to neighbors for donations and volunteers as it prepares for potential increases in need. For local residents, the coming weeks will reveal whether emergency food systems can absorb an influx of new clients while public benefits remain uncertain.