Mayor Melton Announces "Gary SNAPS into Action Plan" to Aid Families During the Government Shutdown

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Mayor Melton Announces "Gary SNAPS into Action Plan" to Aid Families During the Government Shutdown.

City, Corporate, and Philanthropic Partners Pledge Over a Quarter of a Million Dollars in Immediate Food Relief Funding.

GARY, IN – Mayor Eddie Melton today announced a comprehensive local response plan, dubbed “Gary SNAPS into Action,” to stabilize food access for thousands of Gary residents facing uncertainty over their November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and EBT benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

In a direct address to the community, Mayor Melton acknowledged the stress and fear facing families and declared the city’s proactive, multi-pronged strategy to ensure no resident goes hungry.

“This uncertainty isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about whether you can put food on the table for your children. It's stressful. It’s unfair. And I want you to know this: You are not alone,” said Mayor Melton. “While we are advocating fiercely for a resolution in Washington, we are not waiting for Washington to act. We are putting the ‘Gary SNAPS into Action Plan’ to work right here at home. Recently the USDA approved for 65 percent of the funding to be released to the states. But that is not enough, we must mobilize to assist families and special needs groups now.”

Council President and 1st District Councilwoman Lori Latham stated, "The Gary Common Council is united with Mayor Melton to do exactly what local government is called to do—step up for when our families and community is most vulnerable. The ‘Gary SNAPS into Action Plan’ reflects what happens when public, private, and philanthropic partners come together with urgency and empathy. We’re not just talking about policy—we’re talking about people’s actual lives.”

"The City of Gary’s proactive plan to help feed residents during the government shutdown reflects the compassion and resilience of this community. The Food Bank and our agency partners are ready to build on our capacity to provide even more nutrition to the community during these challenging times." Stated Victor A. Garcia, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana

Key Components of the "Gary SNAPS into Action" Plan

Immediate Financial Commitment to Food Relief

The City of Gary and its partners have secured over a quarter of a million dollars ($275,000) in new funding for food assistance. This total combines significant contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners with funding from the City of Gary’s Department of Community Development, building on the City’s existing support for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana this year.

• Targeted Distribution: The majority of the funding will go directly to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. A portion will be reserved for emergency grants to Gary-based non-profit and faith-based organizations to expand their local food distribution efforts.
• Holiday Assistance: A specific allocation of the funds will be dedicated to the City’s annual Thanksgiving Giveaway to ensure families can celebrate the upcoming holiday season with food on their tables.
• Gary Sanitary District will forgive current late fees and suspend late fees for the remainder of 2025.

Personal & Corporate Volunteer Mobilization

The commitment to the community is not just financial, but personal. Mayor Melton announced that he will authorize City staff to volunteer directly with local food distribution efforts, placing city employees’ side-by-side with community members to help distribute resources.

Call to Action for Volunteers and Residents

Mayor Melton also called on the entire Gary Family to step up:

“We are facing this challenge together, Gary. We are greater together. We will continue to advocate, we will continue to partner, and we will continue to ensure that no family goes hungry.”

• Volunteer: Residents interested in joining the City's volunteer efforts for food distribution are encouraged to email: deharris@gary.gov or visit the dedicated page on the City's website.
• Information: Households affected by the potential benefit delays can find the latest updates, resources, and information on local food assistance by visiting the dedicated page on gary.gov and following the city’s official social media channels.
• Organization, churches & pantries serving specialty populations in Gary: You can apply for mini-grants (must be a registered 501c3) to help distribute food to the community through your channels. Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/NqiBidtee0?origin=lprLink
• Funding: Once your application is approved funding or food will be provided by the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana who is the fiscal agent for the grants.  

We are Gary. We SNAP into Action. We will get through this TOGETHER.

Media Contact:

Steve Segura,
Chief Communications Officer
ofc: 219-293-0101
em:Stsegura@gary.gov Headline

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