Nearly 600 Grand County families could lose November SNAP benefits if the shutdown continues, and unpaid federal workers are already turning to local pantries—together putting acute pressure on Moab food banks.
“Many of our local friends and neighbors across federal agencies are affected by the ongoing government shutdown,” said Canyonlands Natural History Association staff member Noel Blanc.
CNHA launched an emergency food drive Friday to support federal employees and their families who may be without pay during the shutdown. The drive is collecting at the Moab Information Center (corner of Main and Center streets) and is looking for canned goods, pasta, rice, peanut butter, toiletries and pet food.
The shutdown began October 1 after Congress failed to reach agreement on funding for the 2025 fiscal year. Millions of federal workers nationwide have been furloughed, with President Trump threatening permanent layoffs. In Moab and Grand County, where federal agencies employ hundreds of people managing public lands that drive the tourism economy, the impact is particularly acute.
The crisis extends beyond federal workers. The shutdown will also halt federal SNAP benefits nationwide, affecting 86,000 Utah households who will not receive food stamp payments in November if the shutdown continues. That directly impacts around 600 families in Moab.
Local food assistance organizations were already seeing increased demand before the shutdown. The Moab Valley Multicultural Center food pantry has recorded steady growth in usage every year since 2021. In 2024, the center served 543 people — more than 10% of Moab’s population — and expects to serve about 648 this year. The pantry is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch).
The Grand County Food Bank also serves families facing income instability and rising food costs. The Grand County Food Bank operates Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon, with a Friday community food pantry from 4 to 6 p.m.
Both organizations need donations of non-perishable items. MVMC particularly needs canned vegetables, beans, tuna, peanut butter, pasta and pop-top soup cans for clients who may not have regular access to stoves.
The Utah Food Bank warned that filling the food assistance gap during the shutdown “will take all of us coming together.”
Moab Food Banks: what’s open and how to give
Get help
Moab Valley Multicultural Center (MVMC) Food Pantry
156 N 100 W.
Open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
(office hours; closed at lunch).
https://moabmc.org/programs/crisis-resource-and-advocacy/food-pantry
Grand County Food Bank
56 N 200 E.
Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.–noon.
Call 435-259-6456. https://serda.utah.gov/food-banks
St. Francis Episcopal Church Community Food Pantry
250 Kane Creek Blvd.
Friday pantry, 4–5:30 p.m. in winter
https://moabepiscopalchurch.org/news-and-events
Give help
Donate to MVMC: https://moabmc.org/donate/
Donate to Grand County Food Bank: drop off Tue/Thu 10 a.m.–noon at 56 N 200 E, or call 435-259-6456 to schedule. https://serda.utah.gov/food-banks
Donate to the Utah Food Bank: https://www.utahfoodbank.org/
Drop off food for the Canyonlands Natural History Association’s drive at the Moab Information Center (Main & Center).
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