EDWARDSVILLE - Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski stopped by the Glen-Ed Pantry in Edwardsville to hear from local leaders about food insecurity amid cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
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On Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, Budzinski met with Jane Ahasay, Executive Director of Glen-Ed Pantry; Michelle Babb with the Overnight Warming Locations; Rachael Craddick, Fund Development Director of Riverbend Family Ministries; Ann Crane, Executive Director of Community Hope Center; Darcella Craven, Government and Community Relations Director with Operation Food Search; Jessica Johnson, Executive Director of Main Street Community Center; and Susan Schueler, Food Manager and Volunteer Coordinator with Glen-Ed Pantry.
The women spoke about SNAP benefits and food insecurity. Budzinski noted that there is misinformation about SNAP and community members who utilize this program. She believes SNAP should be funded, and she thanked the nonprofits for their work to help people.
“I think this is a very reasonable and modest request for our seniors, for our kids, for our families, for our veterans,” Budzinski said. “Enough with the misinformation. I have visited food pantries throughout my district. I visited the great nonprofits that do so much of this work every day. And our families and our communities deserve better. They deserve a functioning government, and they deserve a government that is able to provide assistance when assistance is needed.”
Budzinski acknowledged the changing SNAP situation. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump said SNAP benefits would not be delivered until the government reopens. On Nov. 6, one judge ruled that 65% of SNAP benefits had to be paid by the Trump administration; a few hours later, another judge ruled that the Trump administration must fund 100% of benefits.
“We’ve never seen this weaponized,” Craven said. “How do you trust that this is not going to happen again?”
It is unclear when or if full SNAP benefits will be reinstated. Budzinski recognized that people who are struggling “are not paying attention to that nonsense,” but are focused on how much money they have to access food. She highlighted the anxiety that many people are feeling, especially as the holidays approach.
Craddick said Riverbend Family Ministries welcomed 64 new clients in October, including 18 unhoused individuals. She emphasized that this statistic shows how the need is increasing.
The other leaders shared that they are also seeing more people, including community members they haven’t seen in years who are now struggling again. Ahasay added they have welcomed many federal workers, who are going without pay during the government shutdown, for the first time.
While people of all ages and backgrounds are experiencing food insecurity, Ahasay urged Budzinski to consider “the formula” that limits SNAP benefits for seniors with assets. Johnson also pointed out that many seniors are at risk of going hungry or choosing between medication or food.
The women noted that none of their organizations receive government funding. They rely on donations to help people. Crane said that the community can help a lot, but their dollars only stretch so far.
“It’s not a sustainable plan,” she explained. “There are a lot of people in the community that are stepping up, but the community is only going to be able to help so much.”
She added it’s “a scary time for us” as nonprofits try to keep their doors open and provide food and assistance to the community.
Budzinski expressed her appreciation for the people who have stepped up to help their neighbors, but she noted that the government must reopen and Democrats and Republicans need “to come together and negotiate.”
“It’s inspiring to see communities come together when we have so many people in need. That’s maybe the only bright light that we’re seeing right now,” she said. “We need to reopen the government. We need people to get full access to 100% of their SNAP benefits. One of the things that’s really been striking to me is all of the anxiety and fear that this is really creating in some of our most vulnerable populations because they can’t get answers on what they can expect on a day-to-day basis.”
If you are experiencing food insecurity, read this article on RiverBender.com for information about local resources.
