The Montgomery County Commissioners announced today $500,000 in emergency funding for local food pantries to help residents affected by the suspension of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
According to county officials, SNAP provides approximately $12 million each month to Montgomery County households and approximately 63,000 county residents are projected to lose access to SNAP benefits beginning the first week of November unless funding is restored.
The county launched a website for those who need support and those who have the resources to help their community and also launched an emergency food drive. Suggested donations include cereal, shelf stable milk, oatmeal, complete pancake mix, syrup, canned chicken or tuna, canned pasta, pasta, spaghetti sauce, soups, stews and any shelf-stable meal.
“We’re here today because of inaction, ineptitude, callousness, and cruelty. What is happening is a manufactured crisis. It’s happening because there are people in the federal government who simply do not care that SNAP benefits will expire this weekend,” said Neil Makhija, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Without SNAP, Montgomery County is facing a food challenge it hasn’t seen since the pandemic. SNAP is exactly the kind of program we need when food prices are so high, but Congress is letting it lapse. So we’re showing what leadership looks like at the local level.”
“While federal representatives remain stalled over complex disagreements, Montgomery County will do all it can to ease the burden on affected residents,” said Thomas DiBello, Montgomery County Commissioner. “We’re fortunate to have a tremendous network of community partners who provide essential resources to people and families throughout the County every day. What’s needed most now is a quick resolution so that SNAP funding can get to those who need it most.”
More information and the Montgomery County Food Resource Guide are available at montcoantihunger.org.
Photo: Montco