D.C. Hunger Solutions Commends Mayor for Temporary SNAP and WIC Funding, Urges Immediate Federal Action 

Media Contacts: 

Colleen Barton 
cbarton@frac.org 
703-203-7843 

Jordan Baker 
jbaker@frac.org 
202-640-1118 

Statement attributable to LaMonika Jones, director, D.C. Hunger Solutions  

WASHINGTON, October 31, 2025 – D.C. Hunger Solutions commends Mayor Bowser and the District of Columbia for stepping up to protect more than 140,000 residents and 49,000 children who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and over 12,000 residents who rely on Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) by using local funds to provide November benefits. This decisive local action prevents an immediate humanitarian crisis and reflects the District’s commitment to ensuring every resident can put food on the table. 

However, this stop-gap funding only reinforces that the responsibility for feeding families should not rest solely on local municipalities. The federal government’s failure to act during the shutdown, has left cities like D.C. in a bind, forcing leaders to either divert funds from other urgent needs or to leave residents without access to basic needs such as food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) holds roughly $6 billion in its contingency reserve, as well as the transfer authority. The administration’s inaction has caused immediate harm for families nationwide and forced states and local governments to shoulder an impossible burden. 

Nationally, 42 million Americans risk losing access to food assistance, if USDA does not utilize contingency reserves and carryover funds. 

SNAP is a lifeline for thousands of our neighbors. We commend the Mayor for stepping in to protect D.C. residents from hunger, but this responsibility must not fall on cities. The federal government must act now to fund SNAP and prevent delays. 

SNAP remains one of the most effective anti-hunger programs in the nation. Yet, as grocery prices continue to rise, families are forced to choose between rent and food, while already stretched local food banks and pantries cannot meet the scale of this preventable crisis. 

D.C. Hunger Solutions stands with all SNAP participants, including every family, child, and older adult, threatened by this reckless and unnecessary program benefit disruption, and calls for immediate federal action to safeguard food access in the District and across the country. 

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D.C. Hunger Solutions is an initiative of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). We work to create a hunger-free community and improve the nutrition, health, economic security, and well-being of low-income District residents. To learn more, visit www.dchunger.org.