Monday, November 3
Federal ruling temporarily blocks Trump Administration’s efforts to halt SNAP benefits providing national relief for families across the nation
Mayor Brett P. Smiley today joined Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera and a coalition of local plaintiffs including charitable, legal and faith-based nonprofits, small businesses and workers’ rights organizations for a press conference following the federal court’s temporary restraining order blocking the federal government’s effort to halt the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“This court ruling is a victory for the thousands of families and seniors who rely on SNAP benefits in Providence and will provide critical relief for families across the nation,” said Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. “I am incredibly proud that the City of Providence, as one of the lead plaintiffs in this lawsuit, was able to restore critical funding to provide food security for our neighbors. Suspending funding for food is cruel and threatens the stability of families and seniors who are already struggling. I continue to call on the Trump Administration and the federal government to permanently restore funding for this important program.”
The U.S. District Court’s ruling ensures SNAP benefits will continue in November, securing critical support for thousands of Providence households and many more across the nation. As the Court made clear, the federal government has a legal obligation to use the $6 billion contingency fund to pay SNAP benefits. The Court also told the federal government it has the authority to use other “additional funds.” If the Trump Administration chooses not to use those other “additional funds,” it will then give partial and not full benefits, even though it has the funds and the legal authority to fully fund SNAP for everyone who is eligible for all of November. The Trump Administration must advise the Court by noon on Monday what it will do to comply with the Court’s order.
“In Central Falls, nearly one in four of our residents depends on SNAP to put food on the table—more than 5,000 people in a city just one square mile wide. The administration’s refusal to use available funds to fix this crisis is not just reckless, it’s cruelty targeting the most vulnerable families in our country,” said Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera. “Our City takes care of one another. That’s why we’re standing up, not only for Central Falls, but for every community where families are losing sleep over how they will feed their kids. Now, the Court agrees with us—this can’t continue.”
The case, Rhode Island State Council of Churches v. Rollins, was filed by a coalition of over 20 municipalities, charitable and faith-based organizations, small businesses and workers’ rights groups, including the cities of Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls. The lawsuit argued that the administration violated federal law by refusing to use available funds to maintain SNAP benefits during the government shutdown and by terminating existing waivers that protect part-time workers and job seekers in areas with few employment opportunities. The lawsuit also highlights the harmful impact of these actions, which threatened to cut off food assistance to over 145,000 Rhode Islanders, including 45,000 children, and over 42 million people nationwide.
“This disruption of SNAP funding is hurting thousands of Pawtucket families and seniors who depend on the program to help put food on the table every day,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien. “We were pleased to see Friday’s court decision, but more needs to be done. We are proud to stand with our neighboring communities of Central Falls and Providence on this important effort, and we will not stop until SNAP funding is restored and our citizens receive the nutrition they need and the respect and compassion they deserve.”
“People are terrified and the response has been this enormous outpouring of charity, which is a beautiful thing,” said Miriam Weizenbaum, board president for the Lawyers Committee for Rhode Island. “But when confronted by a bully, you have to stand up and say ‘This is wrong.’ That is what a lawsuit does, and that is what these plaintiffs did.”
Last week, in anticipation of the potential loss of benefits, the City of Providence activated its Emergency Food Plan, which outlines immediate and short-term actions to stabilize food access. As part of this plan, City departments have collaborated to:
- Surge resources to the Rhode Island Food Bank, which serves as a central distribution hub.
- Create a central and accessible hub of Providence-based pantry and food bank information, including a map of locations, hours of operation and important information for distribution.
- Double the number of meals available at participating Providence Recreation Centers and Providence Community Library locations, where dinner and snacks are available for youth 18 and under with family-friendly programming.
- Support transportation options for seniors who require assistance to food pantries. Seniors looking for transportation in the City of Providence should call 3-1-1 for support.
- Allocate $25,000 in direct financial aid to the Rhode Island Food Bank to support their services.
Providence residents looking for food assistance can visit providenceri.gov/food for live updates or call 2-1-1 for 24/7 bilingual support. Food donations are being accepted at Providence City Hall (25 Dorrance St., Room 101) and the Providence Public Safety Complex (325 Washington St.) during business hours.
All donations will be delivered weekly to the Rhode Island Food Bank and must not be expired and packaged in bags, boxes or plastic bottles. No glass will be accepted.