November 6, 2025 Seward Folly Johnny Fraser

More than 66,000 Alaskans failed to receive their monthly food aid, often referred as food stamps, on Saturday, November 1. Almost one in 10 Alaskans receives aid through the program. The federal government has found $4.65 billion to partially fund SNAP for the month of November. In addition to this funding, the state has announced they will spend up to $10 million for SNAP recipients.

Food insecurity affects more than 10% of Alaska’s residents, and these statistics hold true for the greater Seward community. Local service organizations and census data estimate that more than 300 residents, from Lowell Point to Moose Pass, lack sufficient income to meet their food and housing needs.

Low-wage workers often struggle each month to stretch their paychecks to cover rent, utilities, transportation, and food. While Seward’s summer season allows some to supplement their needs through fishing, hunting, gardening, and foraging, not all families can make ends meet. As winter sets in, despite families’ efforts to stretch every dollar, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), administered by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, helps fill critical gaps. Almost one in ten Alaskans receives SNAP benefits, yet even these modest federal supports sometimes fail to meet basic household needs. Fortunately, across Seward, a small army of volunteers at the local food bank, Seward Senior Center, Qutekcak Native Tribe, churches, and the American Legion work tirelessly to ensure no one goes hungry.

Unfortunately, Congress’s failure to pass a federal budget by October led to suspension of SNAP funding. At 10:30 p.m. on October 29, 2025, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services announced compliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s directive to suspend November benefits due to the ongoing federal shutdown. The notice stated that “After October 31, 2025, all benefit authorizations must remain paused until the federal suspension is lifted.”

When the scale of the crisis became clear, Senator Lisa Murkowski warned that, absent congressional action, more than 66,000 Alaskans relying on SNAP would face severe food insecurity beginning November 1. She and a bipartisan group introduced the Keep SNAP Funded Act, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune blocked the measure, leaving roughly ten percent of Alaskans at risk of losing food assistance.

The suspension, now the longest in federal history, is the first time since statehood that the federal government has interrupted monthly SNAP aid to Alaskans. Following a successful court challenge by nearly half the affected states, the federal government agreed to release $4.65 billion to partially fund SNAP for November, covering just under half of the national need.

Within days and before the court decision, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a 30-day state of disaster to access state funds and temporarily fill the gap in federal food aid. But this stopgap is not without challenges.

“Due to the ongoing federal shutdown and other factors, recipients’ benefit amounts will be issued in multiple payments,” said Shirley Sakaye, Director of Communications for the Alaska Department of Health, in a November 3 press release. “We anticipate Alaskans will start receiving their first payment this week,” she said, noting that funds will now be released weekly rather than monthly, limiting recipients’ ability to save money through bulk purchases.

Still, the news was welcomed, as state and federal workers continue collaborating to ensure payments reach eligible Alaskans and to support independent food banks relying on private donations.

Senator Murkowski’s office shared this news with organizations addressing food insecurity and encouraged her staff to alert service providers. Her team also reminded recipients and the food safety net workers that unspent October funds would remain available.

Local Impacts in Seward

Seward’s many volunteers have long filled gaps in the food safety net, ensuring that neighbors in need rarely go hungry. Yet even before this political standoff, local food resources were stretched thin. The suspension of federal benefits will sharply worsen a crisis that already demands extraordinary community compassion.

Over the past month, the Qutekcak Native Tribe mobilized to provide food and supplies to residents displaced by the October 12 typhoon that devastated Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. Program Manager Krisnan Weston emphasized that food insecurity remains a persistent issue for elders and those with limited means. Contaminants in Resurrection Bay, she noted, have made some local wild food sources unsafe, forcing many residents to depend on store-bought food instead of traditional subsistence harvests.

Food bank President Sharon Stevens-Ganser reports that the food bank typically assists about 60 families monthly, but the number has already risen to 81 families as October ends. With SNAP suspended, she expects that figure to grow significantly.

One of the easiest ways to help is by rounding up purchases at Safeway in Seward through the Nourish Your Neighbor program, money that is sent directly to our local food bank within days. Our local Safeway is a great neighbor that also donates perishable fresh produce and dairy each week to the food bank for immediate distribution. The food bank also accepts direct food donations of shelf-stable foods, cash donations, and volunteerism as need arises may also be needed.  

Above: Volunteers at He Will Provide, Inc. at a recent event sorting food donations for weekly distribution. Shelves remain open for additional shelf-stable items if you can spare them for your neighbors.

Seward’s Food Bank on the Front Line

At the heart of Seward’s food security network is He Will Provide, Inc., the local food bank at 238 5th Avenue. Open every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., the pantry serves as a lifeline for families, elders, and in a few cases, those who find themselves without support in Seward – the people who rely on assistance during Seward’s economic off-season.

Executive Director Sharon Stevens-Ganser said the food bank, which had averaged about 60 clients per week, saw 81 clients in the days before the November SNAP benefits failed to appear.

“We’ve seen some new faces over the past few weeks,” she told this reporter, and wasn’t sure if that number will keep climbing. 

Stevens-Ganser felt that the food bank is doing well at this point in the year, with the last of the summer tourism restaurant donations holding them over for a little longer.

By the end of October, 340 people were registered with He Will Provide, a 10 percent increase since August. Eight households rely on the pantry regularly, about 20 visit twice monthly, and the rest come intermittently, with demand increasing in winter. So far, they have distributed more than 22,300 pounds of food in 2025.

Johna Beech, Executive Director of the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, said all regional pantries are in “uncharted territory.” She reported rising demand across the peninsula and noted that “people aren’t waiting until the last minute to gather shelf-stable foods.” Even though the government has stepped in, she added, “the risk of being without food is an emotional threat to caregivers.”

Katie Cornwell, Executive Director of the Seward Prevention Coalition, is deeply concerned about how this affects children.

“Missing meals in childhood does more than leave kids hungry. It can change how their brains and bodies develop,” she said.

Psychologists have found that food insecurity triggers chronic stress, raising anxiety and making it harder for children to concentrate or manage emotions. Studies link skipped meals to higher rates of depression, behavior problems, and long-term learning issues. Food insecurity through loss of supplemental nutrition services is not a short-term crisis.

As Cornwell said, “It’s a problem these children will carry with them as a mental health challenge that can limit their ability to reach their fullest potential.”

The food safety net leaders in Seward emphasized that they operate efficiently, thanks in part to a large, dedicated group of volunteers. Together, they are moving food quickly from shelves to those in need. With the emergency state assistance, immediate hunger may be averted. But the food bank and other food services for those in need rely entirely on donations of money and shelf-stable foods.

“Every dollar we receive stays right here in Seward,” Stevens-Ganser said.

The City of Seward provides reduced rent to He Will Provide, allowing nearly every donated dollar to go directly toward food assistance. A core team of seven regular volunteers keeps the pantry running and spotless, unloading deliveries, stocking shelves, managing paperwork, and serving clients.

“They’re the backbone of what we do,” Stevens-Ganser said. “We couldn’t open the doors without them.”

She added that local partners like Safeway make weekly donations to ensure access to fresh cut produce and milk whenever possible.

Community Support and How to Help

The Seward Senior Center and Qutekcak Native Tribe are also key players in Seward’s food safety net, distributing food boxes, serving low-cost or free meals, and operating the Meals and Library on Wheels program, which delivers food and books to homebound residents.

As this crisis unfolded, small businesses and community members stepped up. The Porthole now offers a “pay-it-forward” board for customers to help others in need, and the Seward Community Library and Museum will host community potlucks on November 8, 15, and 22 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Residents can help by rounding up purchases at Safeway through the Nourish Your Neighbor program. Donations go directly to Seward’s food bank within days, keeping every dollar local. And Safeway has increased the recommended donation in recent weeks because they know that neighbors do, in fact, nourish their neighbors.

As the federal shutdown continues, we’ve heard through the rumor mill that Seward’s churches and civic groups are preparing to expand meal programs for families and federal employees facing lost income.

“Every can of soup or bag of rice makes a difference,” Stevens-Ganser said. “This town has a big heart, and that’s what will carry us through the next few months.”

Johna Beech agreed: “We have a staff of about 10 (in Soldotna), they work for the mission, believe no one should be hungry, and carry the weight. They’re positive and giving solid information. I can’t speak highly enough about the staff. I have no doubt Seward’s team has the same passion, and can meet the need. They get a gold star in my book.”

For those able to help, contributions of food, funds, or volunteer time are welcome through He Will Provide, Inc., the Seward Senior Center, the Qutekcak Native Tribe, the American Legion, or local churches. Things may seem stable for now, but with the essential SNAP program still at risk, the community’s resilience remains vital.

For more information about local food resources, visit:

https://www.sewardhealthcenter.org/resources

If you are a SNAP beneficiary and have questions about your benefits, contact state offices at 1-888-997-8111.