DES MOINES, Iowa — Over 270,000 Iowans use SNAP benefits according to the USDA. That’s about $45 million worth a month. 

Starting November 1st, those benefits will go away as the government shutdown continues, and the program runs out of money. 

Schools are bracing for impact. About 16% of students in Polk County deal with food insecurity.

Over 130,000 households rely on SNAP benefits in Iowa, and 2/3 of those homes include children. More than half are in working families.

Many schools have small food pantries in the school buildings available for families to take what they need, but like other food pantries and organizations, the demand will soon be even higher to keep up with. 

What the shutdown has not affected, at this point, is free and reduced school lunches.

In Des Moines Public Schools, 76% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, an estimated 24,000 students. Many of those situations likely overlap with receiving SNAP benefits as well. 

Which is why DMPS says making sure students get to school will now be as important as ever.

“We encourage regular school attendance on a daily basis, but especially now knowing that families will be facing the possibility of not having their SNAP benefits,” DMPS SUCCESS Program Supervisor Jennifer Stalder said. “Regular school attendance will allow your child to have access to breakfast and lunch. We have three fruits and vegetables programs at our elementaries. We provide afterschool snacks to the majority of our schools when they have activities. We collaborate with the Boys and Girls Club at our sites to provide supper for our students who are there. And of course, we have pantries in our schools.”

Moulton Elementary School, in the Riverbend neighborhood, is bracing for impact.

“The district, and our school specifically, is really worried about our kids coming hungry,” Moulton Principal Eddie McCulley said. “I know that when our kids are hungry and their bellies aren’t full, they can’t learn, they can’t focus, and so a lot of times when a kid is dysregulated or not focused, we will actually give them a snack from our food pantry. So then it gives them energy and then they can focus.”

DMPS is encouraging families to reach out to the community school coordinator or SUCCESS case manager at your school if families need further assistance. They have programs and resources to help. The same goes for other school districts.