25-47 Resolution Acknowledging the Impact of the Federal Government Shutdown on SNAP Recipients and Calling for a Public Hearing to Consider Emergency Measures

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Filed in Clerk's Office Nov 4, 2025 BILL NO. 25-47 Bianca Tirado City Clerk. South Bend, IN RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,INDIANA,ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPACT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ON SNAP RECIPIENTS AND CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER EMERGENCY MEASURES TO SUPPORT RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY WHEREAS,as of October 30,2025, the United States Federal Government has remained in partial shutdown for 30 days,resulting in suspended or reduced funding for numerous essential programs that directly affect the residents of the City of South Bend; and WHEREAS,the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as the food stamp/EBT program, provides critical monthly food support to thousands of South Bend residents, including families with children, seniors,and persons with disabilities; and WHEREAS,more than 20,000 South Bend residents—roughly one in five residents in the city—depend on SNAP benefits to meet their most basic sustenance and nutritional needs; and WHEREAS, the current federal government shutdown has interrupted or imminently threatens to interrupt these benefits,placing thousands of households at risk of hunger, malnutrition, and related health and safety concerns; and WHEREAS, the City of South Bend, as a home-rule municipality, maintains healthy general and rainy-day fund cash reserves that reflect years of strategic and prudent fiscal management, and the South Bend Common Council has a fiduciary responsibility to safeguard taxpayer dollars; and WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of South Bend recognizes that fiscal stewardship also entails the responsible and compassionate deployment of public resources in moments of emergency that threaten the welfare of the city's residents and neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, it is both reasonable and necessary for the South Bend Common Council to hold an emergency public hearing to evaluate potential strategies—including, but not limited to, the temporary allocation of city reserve funds—to ensure that all residents,particularly children, seniors,and people with disabilities,have access to adequate food during the continuation of the federal shutdown; and WHEREAS, the Common Council affirms its commitment to transparency, accountability,and the public trust by engaging residents, community organizations,and city departments in open discussion regarding the potential use of local resources to alleviate immediate hardship; and