When the federal government undergoes a complete shutdown, funding for nonessential agencies and programs is halted. Federal workers classified as nonessential are placed on furlough, and nonessential programs are paused. According to a letter sent by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to states earlier this month, if the shutdown continues and a contingency plan is not approved, the USDA will be unable to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in November.
Currently, Indiana's SNAP benefits for November 2025 are suspended due to the federal government shutdown, and payments will likely be delayed until funding is restored. Typically, Indiana distributes benefits from the 5th to the 23rd of the month based on clients’ last names, but the state cannot issue these benefits without federal approval. Payments will resume once new federal funding is available, and recipients will receive any missed payments at that time. It's important to note that benefits are delayed but not canceled.
Nearly 600,000 Hoosiers who rely on food assistance through SNAP are facing potential lapses in benefits as the federal government shutdown drags on without resolution. Approximately 1,800 food pantries and nearly a dozen food banks across the state are preparing for increased demand.
WHAT WE ARE DOING:
In the city of Hammond, we are in communication with local food banks, churches, and Meals on Wheels to gather information about their programs, locations, and hours. We also encourage everyone to visit Indiana's SNAP website or download the Propel App for updates on the shutdown and benefit payments, as well as the Community Compass App sponsored by the Indy Hunger Network. Community Compass is a digital tool (available as both a website and smartphone app) that connects people with food resources, including food pantries, meal sites, SNAP and WIC retailers, WIC clinics, and food-related events. Users can also check their eligibility for federal nutrition programs. Community Compass is accessible throughout Indiana and supports 11 languages. You can learn more here, access this resource here, or download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Until we know more, the city of Hammond will continue to monitor the impacts of the federal government shutdown and provide updates to member cities while engaging with our federal partners. If your city is affected by the federal government shutdown, consider reaching out directly to your member of Congress.
Food Pantries/Community Meals in Hammond
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Agency | Council District | Operating Hours | Service Areas | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:42 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 02:41 PM | Anthem Church 6947 Hohman Avenue Hammond 219-803-6713 |
4th | Mobile Markey Only Every Tuesday 2:00pm - 4:00pm May Vary |
Open to all | |
| 2 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:44 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:45 PM | Apostolic Church of God's Love 5549 Sohl Avenue Hammond 219-256-0127 | 2nd | Food Distribution November 13th & 20th December 11th& 18th Starting in January Every 2nd & Last Thursday of the month | Open to all | |
| 3 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:46 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 02:42 PM | Community Services of NWI 824 Hoffman Street Hammond 219-932-4800 |
2nd | Food Distribution Monday through Thursday 11:00am - 2:00pm |
Hammond, East Chicago, Highland, Munster, Griffith | |
| 4 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:48 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:48 PM | First United Methodist Church 6635 Hohman Avenue Hammond 219-932-5915 | 4th | Food Distribution Monday through Thursday 11:00am - 2:00pm | Open to all | |
| 5 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:49 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 02:42 PM | Hammond Christian Reformed Church 1910 - 167th Street Hammond 219-844-331 |
5th | Family Dinner Held on the last Thursday of every month 6:00pm |
Open to all | |
| 6 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:50 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 02:43 PM | Hammond New Harvest Church 1421 - 173rd Street Hammond 219-845-2056 |
5th | Food Distribution 2nd and 3rd Tuesday of every month 9:00am - 11:00am |
HAMMOND RESIDENTS ONLY | |
| 7 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:51 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:51 PM | Hammond Rescue Mission 527 State Street Hammond 219-932-5085 | 2nd | Food Distribution Monday through Saturday 1:00am - 4:00pm PLEASE CALL AHEAD | Open to all | |
| 8 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:52 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:52 PM | Hope Center of NWI 6936 Grand Avenue Hammond 219-844-6989 | 6th | Food Distribution 2nd Wednesday of the month 4:30PM - 6:30PM 4th Saturday of the month 11:00am - 1:00pm Community Meals 3rd Saturday Saturday of the month 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Open to all | |
| 9 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:53 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 02:43 PM | Inner Mission 5670 Sohl Avenue Hammond 219-933-7013 |
3rd | Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:00am - 11:45am |
Open to all | |
| 10 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:53 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:53 PM | Life Point Church 7350 Kennedy Avenue Hammond 219-844-6714 | 6th | Food Distribution November 15th 5:30pm - 7:00pm 1st Saturday of the month 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Open to all | |
| 11 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:55 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:55 PM | New Hope Too 6634 Calumet Avenue Hammond 219-937-7768 | 3rd | 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month 1:30pm - 3:30pm | Open to all | |
| 12 | St. John Bosco 7113 Columbia Avenue Hammond 219-844-9027 Ext. 7 | 5th | Food Distribution once a month. PLEASE CALL AHEAD | Columbia Center Area ONLY | |||||
| 13 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 02:44 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 02:44 PM | St. Joseph's Soup Kitchen 5304 Hohman Avenue Hammond 219-931-7682 |
2nd | Food Distribution 1st Monday of each month. Hot Lunch Monday - Friday Noon - 1:00pm |
Open to all | |
| 14 | The Aliveness Project 5261 Hohman Avenue Hammond 219-985-6170 | 2nd | Food Distribution Monday - Thursday 9:00am Call for an appointment | Open to all | |||||
| 15 | The Historic Mt. Zion Baptist Church 1047 Kenwood Street Hammond 219-931-4337 | 3rd | Hot Meals Every Thursday of the month 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Open to all |
Food Pantries/Community Meals Outside of Hammond
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Agency | City | Operating Hours | Service Areas | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:42 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:43 PM | House of Glory 4009 Fir Street East Chicago 219-932-1457 |
East Chicago | Hot and Cold Meals 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month 9:00am - 11:00am |
Open to all | |
| 2 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:44 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:45 PM | Catholic Charities, Diocese of Gary 3801 Fir Street East Chicago 219-397-5803 |
East Chicago | Food Distribution First four Fridays of the month 9:00am - 11:00am |
Open to all | |
| 3 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:46 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:46 PM | St. Mark AME Zion 4600 Alder East Chicago 219-398-4653 |
East Chicago | Food Distribution 3rd Saturday of the month 9:00am - 11:00am |
Open to all | |
| 4 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:48 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:48 PM | The Cross Church 3616 Elm Street East Chicago |
East Chicago | Food Distribution/Mobile MarketDays Times vary. Check website for Sr. Food Box registration. |
Open to all | |
| 5 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:49 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:49 PM | Sojourner Truth House 410 W. 13th Avenue, Rear Building Gary 219-885-2282 |
Gary | Food Distribution Tuesday through Thursday 9:00am - 11:00am and 1:00pm - 2:00pm Drive Thru or Walk-up Only |
First 60 people | |
| 6 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:50 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:50 PM | St. James Food Pantry 9640 Kennedy Avenue 219-924-4220 |
Highland | ONE TIME Food Distribution Every Friday 9:00am - 11:00am |
Residents outside of Highland, Griffith, & Munster | |
| 7 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:51 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:51 PM | North Township Trustee 8554 Indianapolis Blvd Highland 219-932-2530 ext 2 |
Highland | Wicker Park Social Senior Luncheon ONCE A MONTH Call to register |
55 Years or older | |
| 8 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:52 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:52 PM | Mt. Zion Center 2340 - 177th Street Lansing, IL |
Lansing, IL | Food Distribution Every Wednesday 2:00pm |
Indiana and Illinois Residents | |
| 9 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:53 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:53 PM | Food of NWI 219-980-1777 |
Merrillville | Mobile market days vary | NWI | |
| 10 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:53 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:53 PM | Family Christian Center - Operation Care Program 340 W. 45th Street Munster 219-922-6500 |
Munster | Food Distribution Fridays and Saturdays 8:00am - 11:00am |
Open to all | |
| 11 | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:55 PM | rescamilla71 | 31/10/2025 01:55 PM | NWI Food Council PO Box 530 Crown Point info@nwifoodcouncil.org |
Other | The NWI Food Council work covers service and support; education and outreach; and policy and advocacy for our local food system to cultivate a just, thriving and regenerative food system for all. | NWI |