Representative Walt Blackman Calls for Swift Action to Avert SNAP Crisis in Arizona

A Growing Crisis Amid Washington Gridlock

With the federal government shutdown stretching on and the threat of disrupted food assistance looming, Arizona State Representative Walt Blackman is calling on state and federal leaders to act swiftly to protect families, veterans, and children across the state.

In a statement from the Arizona State Capitol, Blackman urged Governor Katie Hobbs to declare a State of Emergency and prepare the state for possible interruptions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. He also called on U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego to “do their job” and vote to end the shutdown immediately.

“With more than 400,000 Arizona families and 800,000 individuals relying on SNAP to put food on the table, Washington’s gridlock is causing real harm,” said Blackman. “Senators Kelly and Gallego have repeatedly voted against a clean continuing resolution that would keep the government open. They can help end this shutdown today. It’s time they do their job.”

Urging Leadership from the Governor’s Office

Blackman is pressing Governor Hobbs not to remain on the sidelines as uncertainty grows for thousands of Arizona households dependent on federal food aid. He emphasized that Hobbs has both the responsibility and the authority to act now to safeguard vulnerable Arizonans if the shutdown continues.

“Governor Hobbs shouldn’t stay silent while Arizona families and veterans face such uncertainty,” Blackman said. “She should be calling on her party’s senators to vote now to reopen the government and protect Arizonans from the fallout they’ve caused.”

If the shutdown persists and federal funding for SNAP stalls, Blackman argues that Arizona must have a coordinated emergency response in place to prevent widespread hunger and hardship.

A Blueprint for Immediate State Action

To avert a potential crisis, Representative Blackman is urging Governor Hobbs to take several concrete steps:

• Declare a State of Emergency to unlock state funds and coordinate hunger relief efforts.
• Direct the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) to lead daily coordination with counties, tribal governments, and local food banks.
• Provide emergency grants to frontline organizations like St. Mary’s Food Bank and Desert Mission Food Bank to expand their distribution capacity.
• Activate 2-1-1 Arizona as a statewide hunger-relief hotline, ensuring multilingual and veteran-specific support.
• Partner with the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services to place veteran navigators at major food distribution sites.
• Collaborate with school districts and municipalities to open temporary food-distribution centers for families and children.
• Seek federal waivers to sustain SNAP and WIC benefits throughout the emergency period.

“Families in Navajo County, Gila County, and across rural Arizona are already struggling,” Blackman said. “If Washington won’t act, Arizona must be ready. But Kelly, Gallego, and Hobbs could end this crisis today by putting politics aside and reopening the government.”

Real Consequences for Arizona Families

The shutdown’s potential impact on food security would be immediate and far-reaching. SNAP benefits serve as a lifeline for low-income families, seniors, veterans, and children across the state. Disruptions could force families to turn to already overburdened local food banks, many of which are struggling with increased demand and limited resources.

Arizona’s food banks have long been partners in disaster response, and Blackman’s call for emergency grants reflects growing concern that they may not be able to meet the surge in need if federal assistance halts. The activation of 2-1-1 Arizona as a central resource would also help direct families to available aid and connect veterans with specialized support.

Resources for Arizonans in Need

While calling for federal and state leaders to act, Representative Blackman is also encouraging Arizonans currently in need of food assistance to reach out to available community resources:

• St. Mary’s Food Bank — stmarysfoodbank.org | (602) 242-3663
• Desert Mission Food Bank — desertmission.com | (602) 870-6062
• 2-1-1 Arizona — Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211arizona.org

Looking Ahead

As the shutdown continues, the future of food assistance in Arizona—and across the nation—remains uncertain. Representative Blackman’s call highlights the human cost of political stalemate and underscores the urgency for bipartisan solutions that protect families from avoidable crises.

“This isn’t about party politics,” Blackman said. “It’s about making sure no child, veteran, or senior goes hungry because Washington can’t get its act together.”