Editor's note: All opinions, columns and letters reflect the views of the individual writer and not necessarily those of the IDS or its staffers.
On Nov. 1, 2025, for the first time in its over 60-year history, 42 million Americans (over 570,000 Hoosiers) did not receive their monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as “food stamps.” The current partial funding plan is insufficient and unacceptable in the wealthiest country in the world. We are urging all Hoosiers (especially students, staff and faculty at IU who care about the health of our community) to act now. We can step in to help keep food on our neighbors’ tables and demand more from our elected officials.
This issue hits close to home. Bloomington’s working class is being squeezed from all sides. Bloomington officials have called the housing situation a “crisis,” as about 61% of residents spend over 30% of their income on housing. This leaves little left for other necessities, including food. Here in Monroe County, an estimated 7,697 residents rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table. Our neighbors, classmates and coworkers face food insecurity every day.
Food insecurity isn’t just about hunger; it carries serious health consequences including increased risk for lead absorption, especially for children. An empty stomach can absorb up to 100% of ingested lead and children with diets lacking in vital minerals and vitamins are at greater risk. Once lead enters the bloodstream, it can cause irreversible organ and brain damage, affecting development and learning. Every family deserves to have food on the table, and every child deserves the nourishment needed to grow, learn and thrive.
Amidst all of this chaos, the current administration has taken additional steps to try to sweep the issue of hunger in America under the rug. Recently, the USDA canceled its annual Household Food Security report. Without this data, policymakers, researchers and local governments lose a critical tool for identifying who is most affected and whether anti-hunger programs are working. In the absence of this data, hunger becomes easier to ignore.
As we approach Thanksgiving, we urge anyone who calls Indiana home to support food access for all Hoosiers and ensure this crisis will not be ignored.
Need assistance?
On campus: Crimson Cupboard open Monday through Friday at the Indiana Memorial Union and Campus View Apartments
Monroe County: Local food pantries and prepared food sites
o Hoosier Hills Food Bank (333 W. Industrial Park Drive)
o Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard (1100 W. Allen St.)
o Community Kitchen of Monroe County (1515 S. Rogers St.)
Want to help? Here’s what you can do:
Donate time or money (this is more effective than donating food)
Call your representatives in Congress and demand that SNAP be funded in full and benefits be distributed immediately. The most effective way to contact Congress is by calling.
Short script: My name is [your name] and I am a constituent in your district. I am urging you to use your influence to ensure SNAP is fully funded and distributed immediately to prevent a food security crisis in our community.
Find your federal representatives: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
Call Indiana representatives and ask them to step in and make up the shortfall in SNAP benefits with state funds
Short script: My name is [your name] and I am a constituent in your district. I am urging the Indiana legislature to step in and fill the gap in SNAP funding and prevent Hoosiers from going hungry.
Find your Indiana state representatives: https://iga.in.gov/information/find-legislators
No one in America should go hungry. By calling your representatives, volunteering, and speaking up, we can ensure Hoosiers have access to the food they need to be healthy members of our community.
Authors:
Emory Hoelscher-Hull, School of Public Health, IU – Bloomington
Alyson Alde, School of Public Health, IU – Bloomington
Allison Holder, College of Arts and Sciences, IU – Bloomington
