As federal funding for food assistance programs is set to halt in the next five days, leaving half a million Nevadans without support for buying groceries, the state’s legislative and executive branches are planning to funnel money to food banks to help families in need.

Already, the governor’s finance office reverted $5.9 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding Friday to address food insecurity. Gov. Joe Lombardo spokesperson Elizabeth Ray said it will provide supplemental assistance to food banks, and additional programs were submitted Sunday, bringing the overall total to $8 million.

Legislative sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because conversations are ongoing, indicated that in addition to that funding, the Board of Examiners will likely vote Thursday to use $30 million from the Interim Finance Committee (IFC) unrestricted contingency account to help fund food banks. They said the IFC will likely gather in a special meeting shortly after that for final approval. 

A memo issued late Monday by the governor’s finance office included the proposed allocations.

The contingency funding, sources said, will be allocated in partnership with the food banks to help address the looming crisis. The intention is to backfill the contingency fund during the yet-to-be-called fall special session, one legislative source said.

In the face of the federal shutdown, SNAP benefits are set to end Nov. 1. The program in Nevada costs the federal government about $90 million a month. Though the funding is expected to help in the short term, the Feeding America food bank network estimates that for every meal it provides, SNAP provides nine. The network notes that SNAP “is the most effective anti-hunger program in the United States.”

Ray confirmed the intention to tap into the contingency account Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas) sent a letter, obtained by The Nevada Independent, to Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat, on Monday referencing efforts the Legislature is taking to address the crisis as “short term relief.”

But Cannizzaro, who is running for attorney general in 2026, said she urges Ford’s office to take legal action to reverse the suspension of support for SNAP.

“Should your office require any legislative resources in pursuing a legal strategy to protect Nevada’s 500,000 SNAP recipients, please know that my office stands ready to assist,” she said. “The Legislature is ready and willing to be a partner in finding solutions for Nevadans in the face of Republican intransigence in Washington.”

Her call joins with other Democrats, including fellow attorney general candidate Democratic Treasurer Zach Conine, who have said it’s vital to find a solution to the crisis.

Ford, who is running for governor, said in a statement on Monday he appreciated Cannizzaro’s offer of aid and would accept it, should the need arise. Ford also urged Lombardo to work with President Donald Trump to ensure that SNAP recipients receive their benefits.

“I want to stress that I will take any and all legal actions available to me to protect SNAP recipients from going hungry,” Ford said. “I personally understand the stress of not knowing where your next meal is coming from, because I’ve lived it. I don't wish that stress on any Nevadan.”

Democratic lawmakers and other advocacy groups have pushed to use more than $5 billion set aside in contingency funds at the federal level to continue food aid amid the shutdown. The Trump administration has refused these requests with a two-page memo indicating that “contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits.”

State officials also asked about temporarily funding SNAP benefits through state funds, but the Trump administration has indicated that’s not a possibility under previously established federal regulations. 

Though suggestions have been made to tap into the state’s nearly $1.3 billion Rainy Day Fund to address the gap in federal support, to do so would require a joint emergency declaration from the governor and the Legislature, or for tax revenue to fall below 5 percent the amount predicted by the Economic Forum. 

Legislative sources indicated that this may be time-consuming because using money from the Rainy Day Fund would likely require the Legislature to establish a new program for the funds to go to, contract with vendors and identify the qualified recipients, which could include SNAP recipients and furloughed federal employees. They said the most expeditious path forward to address the crisis is to tap into the contingency fund and work with food banks.

This story was updated on 10/27/2025 at 1:54 p.m. to include a statement from Ford and again at 3:24 p.m. to include a memo from the governor’s finance office and updated estimates for the allocation of funding. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.