Federal Cuts and Rising Gas Prices Strain West Michigan Food Banks as Demand Surges

West Michigan Food Banks Face Dual Crisis as Federal Funding Slashes and Fuel Costs Soar

GRAND RAPIDS — Food banks across West Michigan are grappling with a perfect storm of rising operational costs and slashed federal funding, threatening their ability to feed communities during an already challenging period.

Feeding America West Michigan, which serves 40 counties and approximately 800 partner organizations statewide, reports that diesel fuel costs exceeding $5 per gallon have forced the organization to spend an additional $7,000 per month on transportation alone. That extra expense translates to roughly 28,000 meals that the organization can no longer afford to distribute.

"We're right now spending about $7,000 a month more on diesel fuel than what we had planned," said Ken Estelle, President and CEO of Feeding America West Michigan. "That is equivalent to about 28,000 meals."

The organization's trucks travel between 500,000 and 600,000 miles annually, covering a service area of approximately 700 miles across the region. With fuel prices climbing, Estelle warned that the organization must find new ways to build food acquisition capabilities, encourage community support, and secure necessary funding to continue operations.

Federal Funding Cuts Hit Hard

The challenges facing West Michigan food banks extend beyond transportation costs. The Trump administration's recent cuts to federal food assistance programs have dealt another blow to the organizations that have long relied on government support.

According to a ProPublica report, the administration eliminated approximately $500 million from the Emergency Food Assistance Program, representing about a quarter of the 2024 funding level. Feeding America West Michigan distributes roughly 30 percent of its food through federal programs, primarily the TEFAP program.

Compounding the issue, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025, made changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program qualification rules. Estelle noted that more people are seeking food assistance following these eligibility changes, adding pressure to already strained resources.

Gleaners Community Food Bank Reports Massive Food Shortage

In Southeast Michigan, Gleaners Community Food Bank has experienced its own food security crisis. Kristin Sokul, Senior Director of Advancement Communications, Marketing, and Media Relations at Gleaners, revealed that the organization saw a deficit of 9 million pounds of donated food in a single calendar year.

"That came from the USDA, which had reduced their donated food to us by about 5 million pounds year over year," Sokul explained. "And then other food donating resources, private donors."

Sokul said Gleaners has been working to make up the deficit through diversifying food sources, allocating more funds, purchasing food directly, and minimizing food waste. The organization has also seen its community step up to fill the gap.

"Through times of challenge, we have seen our community come together to support our neighbors for the hunger-free communities that we know are possible," Sokul said. "And this is an opportunity for our community to come together again."

Regional Impact Across West Michigan

The strain on food security infrastructure extends throughout West Michigan. In the Upper Peninsula, Feeding America West Michigan partners with the Salvation Army to support local food pantries. Cari Detmers, Director of Development for the Salvation Army, noted that supply chains are experiencing disruptions.

"Because of the gas prices, there's just a supply chain issue so, a lot of times we can't get things that we need, because they're just not available because either they're not getting them shipped to them or we're not getting them," Detmers said.

The organization reports that costs have to move forward, and while once-a-month orders have not been impacted, they are starting to feel the pressure.

Looking Ahead

Despite these challenges, food bank leaders across West Michigan remain committed to their mission. Estelle emphasized that Feeding America West Michigan is already exploring ways to address the funding and transportation crisis.

"We're looking at ways to build out food acquisition, encourage community support, and get the necessary funding to continue to operate," Estelle said.

Sokul added that the organization views this as a call to action for the community. "In one calendar year, we saw a deficit of 9 million pounds of donated food," she said. "Through times of challenge, we have seen our community come together to support our neighbors for the hunger-free communities that we know are possible."

The coming months will be critical as West Michigan food banks navigate these simultaneous pressures. With federal funding cuts, rising transportation costs, and increasing demand, the organizations must find innovative solutions to ensure their partners continue to have access to nutritious food.