Mackenzie Lukas applied for food stamps two weeks ago.
The 24-year-old from the south side teaches dance classes and works as a personal trainer. Her income isn’t always steady, so she scheduled an interview about eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The program helps people afford food each month, with money loaded onto benefit cards that can be spent at grocery stores.
But no one, Lukas said, has called. She wondered if it was because of the government shutdown.
As funding for SNAP stalls in a divided Congress and a lawsuit against the Trump administration continues, Lukas knew she had to take matters into her own hands. She went to her first food pantry at Hornet Park Community Center on Wednesday.
“I was very scared to come at first,” Lukas said. “It took some convincing for me to realize I’m allowed to use this service. Honestly, it’s going to be a saving grace this month.”
In most states, SNAP benefits are set to run out by Nov. 1. But in Indiana, people usually receive their dollars between the 5th and the 23rd day of the month. That leaves food banks and pantries here with more time to prepare.
“We’re going to be OK,” said Candace Hayes, the manager of Hornet’s food pantry. “We’re in this together.”
Hayes wakes up at 5 a.m. twice a week to pick up more boxes from Gleaners Food Bank. Now, those shifts are doubling to meet the need. And across Indianapolis, people are pitching in by volunteering, donating and sharing resources. That includes a newly launched $1 million food relief fund and the Community Compass app, which shows a list of food pantries, free meals and nearby stores that accept SNAP.
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At Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center on the west side, people waiting in line for the Oct. 29 pantry were greeted by staff dressed in foodie Halloween costumes, including yellow mustard and cheeseburger outfits.
Jalen Hodge, 28, was there to get food for her three children. The family relies on SNAP, though they’re budgeting for a November without it — and swearing off sweets.
“We’ve just got to go on a diet or something until it’s over with,” said Anthony Joiner, Hodge’s partner. “We have to eat less, cook less and manage food better.”
But Thanksgiving and Christmas, he said, shouldn’t look that different: “We always make the best of the holidays, food or not.”
‘We will do everything we can’
As the government shutdown stretches into its fifth week, Mary Rigg is ending restrictions on who can use the food pantry and how often.
More than 571,000 Hoosiers — including about 200,000 children — are on SNAP. That’s why Heather Pease, the neighborhood center’s president, doesn’t expect local pantries to fill the gap.
“But we will do everything we can,” she said.
People pick up food Oct. 29, 2025, at Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center in Indianapolis, before SNAP benefits are temporarily stopped due to the government shutdown.
Joshua Carter, one of the people in line, had the same mentality — but a different method. The 43-year-old, who is homeless, dumpster dives for meals.
“Lately, I haven’t been able to find anything besides a couple of snack cakes,” he told Mirror Indy. “Definitely not enough food to keep meat on my bones for the winter.”
Carter said he didn’t know SNAP might run out in November. His benefits have lapsed, but he’s applying again, even with the shutdown.
“They’ll find a resolution,” he said. “They don’t want a bunch of hungry and homeless people.”
Carter looked toward the door, where baskets of fruit and sandwiches waited.
“The Lord provides,” he said.
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Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy covers health. Reach her at 317-721-7648 or email maryclaire.molloy@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @mcmolloy7.
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