Community Organizations Rally To Support Struggling Families
There is good and bad news concerning the loss of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits this past weekend. The good news is the Trump Administration is honoring the order of two federal judges to use billions in contingency funding to resume the program for low-income families. The bad news is it won't happen until Wednesday at the earliest and the payments will be only half of the average $187.00 per person allotment
The reduced payments will continue to apply pressure on already underfunded community organizations to assist families facing a food crisis. The contingency funds will help but if the government shutdown continues and the contingency money is depleted, that means no benefits will be available for new SNAP applicants certified this month according to The White House.
Locally organizations are scrambling to find ways to assist. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, more than 67% of Alabama SNAP participants are in families with children. That could have a direct effect on learning according to the Alabama Department of Education.
The student poverty numbers are even higher in the Tuscaloosa City School System at 71%. That has prompted the system to partner with the West Alabama Food Bank to offer healthy food options at its onsite pantry located at New Heights Community Resource Center (3834 21st. Street, Tuscaloosa). With SNAP bumping up the numbers of families in need of non-perishable food items, availability is being doubled. Contact Kalissa Bormann (kbormann@tusc.k12.al.us or call 205-759-3534) for information.
West Alabama Food Bank, like food banks across the state and nation are deeply involved in assisting those in need. West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell hosted a round table on food insecurity at the food bank this morning. She noted that vulnerable groups include children, veterans, and senior citizens, are particularly at risk. She stated that people in need of food assistance should not be in the crosshairs of politics.
United Way of West Alabama is providing $50,000 to assist food pantries in their nine counties of Bibb, Fayette, Green, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties. More than 20,000 West Alabama residents face food shortages due to the SNAP cutback.
Additional assistance is being provided by Tuscaloosa Emergency Services, Tuscaloosa's One Place, Salvation Army, St. Mathias Episcopal Church, Tuscaloosa Church of God, The Community Soup Bowl, St. Mark Church - Northport, Forest Lake United Methodist Church, Feed My Sheep, University Church of Christ, Grace Church, I Care Food Bank-Maranatha SDA, Catholic Social Services of West Alabama, Coaling Baptist Church, East Tuscaloosa Community Soup Bowl, Weeping Mary Baptist Church and Wings of Grace.
SNAP recipients who already had their Electronic Benefit Transfer card (formerly known as food stamps) loaded before Nov. 1, at any SNAP authorized retailer.
Tomorrow will mark the 35th day of the government shutdown tying it with the previous longest, during the first Trump Administration.
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