On Aug. 28, 2026, Lacey Reeves of KCGR ran this story ...
Iowa SNAP hotline faces federal funding cuts, food banks work to cover difference
More than 40,000 Iowans called the Iowa SNAP hotline this last year, looking for help signing up for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Seth Fox takes dozens of calls from people in crisis.
“I had a neighbor call me the other day and she was digging through a dumpster to try to find something to eat,” Fox said.
Fox said the need for SNAP has never been higher.
“It’s either I pay my rent or I put food in the fridge. And people are just unable to make ends meet,” Fox said.
All six of Iowa’s food banks pay for half of the hotline’s operation. Federal funding covers the other half. But starting October 1, federal funds will only cover a quarter of that money as part of a change outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It’s part of an overall SNAP administration cost shift.
“So starting October 1, for every dollar we spend, we’ll get twenty five cents back,” said Katie Sorrell, Iowa Food Bank Association Executive Director.
Now Iowa’s six food banks will have to contribute an extra $170,000 to keep the hotline running. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank is having to rely on its donors to help it pay for its nearly $25,000 share.
“We strategically are asking people for gifts to help us make that difference up,” said Barbara Prather, Northeast Iowa Food Bank Executive Director.
While the hotline doesn’t receive any state funding, most of the calls it gets are referrals from Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“Seventy-two percent of our calls last year were referrals from Health and Human Services. So we are asking for HHS to contribute that additional 25%,” Sorrell said.
The food banks asked for state funding, but were denied.
Fox said state and federal decision makers should learn more about how the funding cuts are hurting those who need the hotline.
“Spend some time with us. Listen to a few calls even. And understand the desperation in our neighbors’ voices,” Fox said.
If you need help applying for SNAP you can call the hotline at (855) 944-FOOD (3663).
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