NEW HANOVER COUNTY — As the USDA stops funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beginning Nov. 1, due to the government shutdown, area agencies are coming together to help families in need.
READ MORE: ‘Shutdown politics’: North Carolina AG sues Trump administration over pause in SNAP benefits
New Hanover County Social Services and the Office of Civic Engagement are working with local nonprofits, churches and food banks to help the community access resources. Multiple food events are planned throughout the month of November, such as hot breakfasts at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, grocery giveaways at the Good Shepherd Center, senior lunches at the Senior Resource Center and Castle Hayne Community Church and shopping at Catholic Charities Food Pantry. Food distribution boxes are also being offered throughout the month
“This is a critical moment for so many in our county as they rely on these funds to address nutritional needs, allowing other financial resources to be used for monthly expenses like utilities or housing,” Chief Civic Engagement Officer Linda Thompson said.
SNAP benefits are ending as the United States Department of Agriculture said it doesn’t have sufficient funds to cover all states — which would equal almost $9 billion. Around 25 states, including North Carolina, are suing the department and the Trump administration, noting it has almost $6 billion in federal contingency funds, as appropriated by Congress, to keep SNAP running through November. But the USDA noted it will pause funding because contingency money is meant for situations like natural disasters, with some lawmakers claiming the government shutdown doesn’t count, with Republicans blaming Democrats for not taking a vote on a budget to reopen the government. Democrats have voted down a spending bill 13 times because of its cuts to Medicaid and Obamacare tax subsidies, which will increase insurance on constituents by double or more.
The pause to SNAP benefits will affect 42 million Americans, 1.4 million of them North Carolinians. In New Hanover County, approximately 12,300 households receive monthly SNAP benefits, which is estimated to support more than 22,000 individuals, or about 9% of the county’s population.
More information about what the county and its partners are doing to assist can be accessed here.
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