Sept. 30, 2025 – Amid the highest food insecurity rates in nearly a decade, a government shutdown creates uncertainty for millions of federal employees, active-duty military members and people who work for a federal contractor, all of whom are at risk for paycheck disruptions, including many individuals in central and western Oklahoma. Many hardworking people are just one paycheck away from needing support from their local food bank.

A prolonged shutdown will lead to many federal employees, active-duty military members and people who work for a federal contractor not receiving their expected paychecks, which could jeopardize their ability to afford the food they need to thrive and cover other household expenses.

During a prolonged shutdown, food banks and meal programs would likely face increased demand on top of the sustained high need since the pandemic and the added strain of recent cuts to SNAP and Medicaid.

As the need rises, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma will continue to show up for our community, but meeting this challenge requires all of us. Now more than ever, we need to stand united, lawmakers, businesses, faith communities and individuals, to ensure that no one in Oklahoma goes without the food they need to live a thriving life.