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SNAP cuts would deepen crisis for Dakota County families

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Headshot of Jason Viana

Jason Viana, Executive Director, The Open Door 

The Open Door, which provides food support for individuals and families with low incomes across Dakota County, is serving more people than ever. Executive Director Jason Viana says the need is only growing. 

“This time last year, we were helping around 17,000 people every month across all of our programs. Last month, we helped 22,000 people right here in Dakota County.” 

For many of those families, SNAP is an essential part of staying afloat. 

“We see here every day the impact of families that don’t have enough to make ends meet, and SNAP is a critical part of that for about half of our families. Any impact on healthcare, SNAP, or any of these cuts will hurt the people in our community who need help the most.” 

At The Open Door, welcoming those who need support is a foundational value. 

“We’ve designed this organization to be a place where everyone feels welcome to come and get food support no matter the situation they have in life.” 

In 2024, The Open Door distributed more than 4.5 million pounds of food through four core programs designed to meet people where they are. Its fixed-site pantry in Eagan offers appointments for clients seeking food support in a traditional setting. At the same time, the Mobile Pantry Program delivers food to 35 locations each month across Dakota County, including apartment complexes, senior facilities, and schools. The Mobile Lunchbox Program partners with school districts to provide meals to students in low-income neighborhoods during the summer, delivering 32,802 meals to 31 neighborhoods last year.  

Still, demand is outpacing supply. Viana notes that food shelves like his are pushed to the brink. 

“We stretch our resources and turn community generosity into help for folks. But there are limits to that.” 

And those who think the emergency food system is over-serving are missing the reality. 

“If people had enough money to meet their basic needs, they wouldn’t come to a food shelf. We’ve always had a week-long wait to get in for an appointment. Right now, that wait is nine weeks.”