Keeping up with the SNAP situation

Keeping up with the ever-changing national SNAP crisis has felt impossible. Every day, the headlines shift, so today we wanted to take a moment to share what’s happening and what we are seeing at Ballard.

Timeline of Events- Recap

• October 1: The federal government shutdown begins, freezing multiple agencies and threatening SNAP funding.

• October 28: The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) announces that USDA has suspended all November SNAP benefits until Congress restores funding. Ballard, Just Food, and all local pantries rally together to create the Unified Pantry Fund at DCCF, promise to leverage purchasing power moving forward, and respond as a unified group of food service providers.

• October 31: A federal judge orders the USDA to plan for full November payments, giving families and states brief hope that benefits might resume.

• November 3: USDA clarifies that only partial benefits will be paid out using contingency funds while legal appeals move forward.

• November 6: A federal court orders full SNAP payments to be issued by Friday; USDA begins notifying states to proceed.

• November 7: Kansas DCF releases full November benefits to more than 86,000 households statewide, totaling over $31 million in aid.

• November 7–8: The U.S. Supreme Court issues an emergency stay halting that order, and the USDA instructs states to “undo” full benefit issuances. This has created confusion and mixed guidance across the country.

• Today: As of now, Kansas families — including those here in Douglas County — have received their full November benefits. But the path forward for December remains uncertain, and the risk of reduced or delayed payments still looms.

This is where we get real, and I am going to be completely honest and transparent.

First and foremost, how many of you went shopping this past weekend? Did you notice the store parking lots completely full?

Here’s why. It’s not just because Kansas residents got their SNAP benefits. It’s because a few hours later, our Supreme Court and USDA ruled to halt payments, and even potentially claw them back. Our most vulnerable families in this community are currently living in fear. They are bulk shopping out of fear that their benefits will be taken back. They did the same thing towards the end of last month. They chose to spend their personal money on food, fearing SNAP never getting to them, instead of paying rent and utilities, etc. We have never been hit harder with requests for crisis funding to keep people in their homes. And we understand why.

 When you don’t have food, the most immediate of needs, you cannot focus on shelter. And when that happens, the domino effect of instability takes off like a rocket. When families are scared, they call the Ballard Center. We take a lot of pride in having earned that trust from those who need us most. We take those calls; we take on that added pressure with pride. We have so much gratitude for the opportunity to serve. But my friends, it only works because of one key variable. And that variable is you.

The Government Shutdown started Oct 1 2025. And ever since then my team has been working harder than we’ve ever worked before. Do you know what they say to me? They do not say, “Poor me, I’m tired,” or “We can’t do this.” Instead, they say things like,

“Can you believe all of the food our community has provided us to help those in crisis?”  

What I hear from my team is gratitude. And that gratitude is only possible because when we are scared, much like the families we serve, when we are shaking in our boots, just like them, we know who to call on. While families lean on us for strength when all hope is lost, we lean on you when we feel like all hope is lost. And you respond, EVERY TIME. It’s truly one of the most beautiful things I will ever witness in my life.

I am so humbled by this last month and a half. Countless sleepless nights. Crying tears of concern for our community, and for my staff. But most importantly, being absolutely blown away by your generosity. Your downright resolve in the face of adversity.

My dear friends, we are going to respond to the needs of families and children, no matter the crisis, no matter the circumstance, no matter the challenges. We are going to do that until the ends of time. Because we are the Ballard Center.

And the Ballard Center is only able to do this because of you.

Thank you for being the hope my team needs so that we can give that to others.

Back to work,

Kyle Roggenkamp.