Governor Wes Moore today declared a state of emergency in an effort to help residents who have lost funding or employment due to the federal shutdown.
Moore issued an executive order for $10 million in emergency funding to Maryland food security partners to help feed people who will not receive their November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, as well as the 15,000 federal employees whose jobs were eliminated.
“Withholding funding from food assistance is not just illegal, it’s also cruel. Six-hundred eighty thousand Marylanders rely on the SNAP to put food on the table—we’re talking about 120,000 older adults; 270,000 children; and 130,000 Marylanders with disabilities. The federal government is looking them in the eyes and saying, ‘You’re on your own,’” Moore said during a news conference Thursday.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich praised Moore’s actions, which will help local food banks and community organizations.
“I also want to recognize Attorney General Anthony Brown for joining other state attorneys general in suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Trump Administration for cutting off SNAP funding. The actions of our governor and attorney general are crucial in addressing this unprecedented national emergency that cuts off food to those most in need,” Elrich said in a news release.
In Montgomery County, 29,566 children and 39,280 adults rely on SNAP benefits each month, according to Elrich. “That represents about $12 million in food purchases that circulate through our local economy, supporting grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and small food retailers. The loss of that funding will create hardship, not only for families, but also for the businesses that serve them. This is unacceptable and downright cruel.”
“We take care of one another, and we do not let partisan politics determine who eats, who works, or who has a place to live,” Elrich added. “While neither the county nor the state has the resources to backfill the loss of federal funding for SNAP, Montgomery County will continue to do everything in our power to support families and to push back against federal policies that harm the people we serve,” he said.
During previous shutdowns, Maryland received reimbursement for federal expenses incurred from critical programs, Moore said. “In an unprecedented move, the Trump Administration has provided no assurance that Maryland will be reimbursed.”
The $10 million allocation will be used to purchase and distribute additional food for food banks, local pantries, school pantries, and mobile distribution programs, including delivery of meals to older adults or Marylanders with disabilities who cannot easily access pantries.
The Maryland Department of Human Services will continue to process new SNAP applications at MarylandBenefits.gov.
The Council announced a $7.75M Public Service Support Resolution to help residents and nonprofits impacted by the federal government shutdown. The package will be introduced Nov. 4, with a public hearing & Council vote on Nov. 18. 🗓️See more: https://t.co/Th8AYsMRO3 pic.twitter.com/5B5xylpksp
— Montgomery Council (@MoCoCouncilMD) October 29, 2025
