November 3, 2025
Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) wants to reassure the mid-Michigan community we will continue to have enough food for neighbors who need us during this difficult time. There is no risk that GLFB will run out of food. We have been in the mid-Michigan community for 40+ years and weathered many times of increased need and will continue to be here long-term.
We understand this is a confusing and stressful time for so many in our community. While GLFB does receive some food through USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), it is not our only source of food. A majority of the food we distribute each year is donated privately or purchased.
The amount of SNAP dollars neighbors can use at retail stores do not correlate with what it costs a food bank like GLFB to provide the same amount of food. Food banks purchase at significantly discounted, negotiated or wholesale costs. SNAP dollars are used for purchase at retail costs at grocery stores.
In times of crisis, additional sources of food are often made available through our partnerships with Feeding America and Food Bank Council of Michigan. We also actively fundraise for additional dollars in times of emergent need to purchase what is needed, including covering immediate increased costs to distribute additional food.
Anyone looking for the latest information can visit GLFoodBank.org/Shutdown for daily updates on the shutdown’s impact on food assistance, and how GLFB and our partners are responding.
GLFB does not serve as a walk-in pantry, although we do host a mobile food distribution at our warehouse on the last Wednesday of the month. GLFB has a network of 300+ partner neighborhood-based food pantries, community meal sites, mobile distribution locations and other organizations that distribute food directly to neighbors.
Neighbors in need, whether for the first time or not, can visit GLFoodBank.org/GetHelp to find their nearest GLFB partner pantry or an upcoming mobile food distribution. When visiting a pantry for the first time, please call ahead to confirm hours.
Together, we will get through this moment.