October 30, 2025 3:50 a.m.
With thousands of Oregonians facing hunger due to the federal government shutdown and the upcoming loss of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, on Wednesday Governor Tina Kotek announced a coordinated state response that includes three actions.
A release from the Governor’s office said that includes declaring a 60-day food security emergency, directing $5 million to the state’s food bank network and calling on all Oregonians to support their neighbors in need.
The declaration activates state agencies and resources to ensure that emergency food can reach vulnerable families while the federal government fails to release taxpayer dollars dedicated for food assistance during the shutdown. The Governor renewed her call for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release emergency contingency funds already authorized under federal law to sustain SNAP benefits nationwide.
Governor Kotek said, “It’s unacceptable that families are being used as leverage in a political standoff in Washington D.C.” Governor Kotek said, “While the Republican-controlled Congress fails to do its job, Oregon will do ours. We stand up for each other, whether it’s fires, floods or any other crisis. I call on all Oregonians to do what they can to help their neighbors.”
The release said the 60-day emergency declaration establishes a statewide incident command organized by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. Keeping the declaration active through the months of November and December means Oregonians will have greater access to emergency food during the holiday season.
The declaration will also ensure that when the shutdown ends, Oregon will be best positioned to turn SNAP benefits back on as swiftly as possible.
The Governor directed the Oregon Department of Human Services to deploy $5 million from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families carryover funds to Oregon’s network of food banks. TANF carryover is unspent federal funding from prior years that remains available until used.
Governor Kotek is asking Oregonians to donate to the Oregon Food Bank or to support a regional food bank in their area by making a donation of food or volunteering their time to help.
The release said the ODHS will continue to provide updates on the SNAP situation to the public through its website, social medial channels, partner organizations and through additional media alerts.