With the looming interruption of SNAP benefits starting November 1 — due to the ongoing federal government shutdown —many Arizona families are preparing for a sudden shortfall in their grocery budgets.
For families who have relied on SNAP to stretch their food dollars, now is the time to act strategically. First, inventory your food supplies at home. Prioritize meals built around cheap, filling ingredients such as rice, pasta, beans, oats, potatoes, frozen vegetables, and generic-brand proteins. For example, soups, stews, baked potatoes, bulk oatmeal with fruit, or a big pan of lasagna can feed a family for multiple meals at very low cost.
Second, reach out now to local emergency food networks before the crunch hits. Churches, local food banks, and pantries can help bridge the gap when SNAP pauses but often cannot make up the full shortfall on their own. Many of these organizations have already warned that they lack the capacity to replace SNAP’s billions of dollars in aid. If you and a friend are getting food boxes consider swapping the items you might not need or want so that no food goes to waste. Organizations like Borderlands Produce Rescue, C.A.M.P, and Bountiful Baskets offer large boxes of produce at a discount. I’ve personally done the Bountiful Baskets program and you select a box like ‘soup pack’ for tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, etc or a ‘lunch box’ one with pears, tangerines, baby carrots, watermelon, apples, etc. They’re usually around $20 and you get a LOT of produce.
Third, if you haven’t already, apply or renew any food-assistance application now. Even if payments are delayed, your eligibility will be established. And double-check your contact info with your state’s program so you don’t miss key notices.
Fourth, when shopping, keep meals simple and cost-effective. Here are 10 tips for cutting costs at the grocery store. Meals like baked chicken legs, roasted vegetables, large salads made with seasonal produce, or slow-cooker soups work well. Buy items in bulk when on sale, freeze extras, and cook once to eat twice–or more. When I do our shopping I try to meal plan items that can we use a variety of ways. Grilled chicken thighs for a meal can then become protein for a salad or pasta the next day. Shredded chicken breast can be used for tacos, soup, and a variety of crockpot meals while pork shoulder is often on sale and can be used for sandwiches, nachos, or loaded baked potatoes! Avoid premium snack or convenience items — when budgets are squeezed every dollar counts.
With my family of 7 we’re always on a mission to keep our family fed on a budget. 4 growing boys (plus a baby girl starting solids) eat a LOT. Don’t overcomplicate your meals–breakfast for dinner, English muffin pizzas, pasta dishes, quesadillas, mac n cheese with hotdogs, and easy ‘loaded’ baked potatoes are regulars at our house! This Lasagna Soup is a budget-friendly hit in our house! We often buy meats when they’re on sale and use them for the next week’s meals. And don’t forget to utilize online shopping! I love Walmart’s app because I can add everything into my cart and decide where I can cut costs. Then I’ll shop at another grocery store to see if anything on that list is cheaper. Pick up at Walmart is FREE–even if you’re not a member. And I find it helps with impulse purchases. Here are some of the wonderful resources I use for my meal planning–nearly all of them have videos to accompany the recipes along with other ‘frugal’ tips.
Your Barefoot Neighbor
This Gal Cooks
Budget Bytes
This Pilgrim Life
Julia Pacheco Recipes
Plandy Mandy
Simple Home Edit
Feeding Five Frugally
Whole and Happy Living
7 Kids Kitchen
Finally, communicate with your children about the situation—so they understand why meal routines may shift—but reassure them that they will be fed and cared for. If you’re worried about your kids not eating the more ‘budget-friendly’ meals, try cooking with them. Studies show kids are more likely to try new meals if they participate in the preparation of it. A household united and planning together will feel less stress than one trying to improvise alone.
If you live in Arizona and are looking for local food help, use a resource such as Arizona Food Bank Network (AzFBN) to search your ZIP code for food-banks, mobile distributions and pantries across all counties.
Here are a few food banks serving families across Arizona. If you’re in a position to give—whether through food, time, or financial support—every contribution makes a real difference. These organizations are feeling the added strain, and your help can go a long way toward filling shelves and nourishing families throughout our state.
Now is an especially good time to donate to food banks because your generosity can go even further through Arizona’s charitable tax credit program. Donations made to qualifying organizations before the end of the year can earn you a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit—meaning you can directly reduce what you owe in state taxes while helping local families in need. It’s a powerful way to make an immediate impact and keep your tax dollars working right here in your community.
Metro Phoenix:
ASCEND
Arizona Kosher Pantry
City Hope Arizona
City of Scottsdale Food Bank
St. Mary’s Food Bank of Arizona
United Food Bank
St. Vincent de Paul
Foothills Food Bank
PV Community Food Bank
Nourish Phoenix
Lighthouse Social Services
Honor Health Desert Mission
Matthew’s Crossing
Mom’s Pantry
Harvest Compassion Center
Operation Care Food Bank
Tempe Community Action Agency
Phoenix Rescue Mission
Midwest Food Bank
West Valley Community Food Center
Valley View Community Food Bank
Superstition Food Bank
Vista del Camino Food Bank
Salvation Army
St. Anne’s Friends of the Needy
Maricopa Pantry
Tolleson Food Bank
Tucson:
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
Primavera Homeless Intervention and Prevention
Interfaith Community Services
Gospel Rescue Mission
Campus Pantry – For University of Arizona students and staff
Holy Family Church
Caridad Community Kitchen
Grace St. Paul Joseph’s Pantry
Z Mansion – Workship Project
Northminster Presbyterian Church
Saguaro Christian Church
His Presence Church Arizona
Casa Maria Soup Kitchen
Tucson Food Share
Friendship Ministry Baptist Church
Impact of Southern Arizona
God’s Vast Resources
Trinity Food Bank
Haven Totes
These are just a small amount of food pantries available–there are likely a handful more around your home. In a moment of uncertainty, preparation, honest communication, and knowing your local support options can make a big difference. You may not be able to replace every dollar lost from SNAP—but you can act now to fill the gap and keep your family nourished.
With Thanksgiving around the corner also utilize organizations providing food boxes with a turkey–sign up now to make sure your family can still get one. Here are some places offering resources:
Elks Lodges
Vineyard Church
Phoenix Rescue Mission
Lerner and Rowe
United Food Bank
If the holidays looks different for your family this year, please remember—your value as a parent has never depended on one meal or one day. What matters most are the moments you share, the laughter around the table, and the love you give your kids every single day. Create a new tradition this year, or turn an ordinary dinner into something special. The memories you make together will mean far more than the menu ever could.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Buying groceries on a budget
10 Tips to Keep Grocery Store Spending in Check
AZ SNAP (EBT) and WIC Discounts
