Oregon’s Governor Kotek Allocates $5 Million to Food Banks Before SNAP Benefits Cutoff – Essential Support for Our Community!

Food banks in Oregon are feeling the strain as the government shutdown continues. On Wednesday, Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency over hunger and directed $5 million to help food banks across the state. This decision is aimed at addressing the potential loss of food stamp benefits for hundreds of thousands of residents due to the ongoing shutdown.

Kotek’s emergency declaration gives the Oregon Department of Emergency Management the power to work with local governments and organizations to tackle food insecurity. The declaration also mandates that the Oregon Department of Human Services assist those who may go hungry because of lost benefits. The order is set to last until the end of the year unless federal aid is restored or Kotek decides otherwise.

“It’s unacceptable that families are being used as pawns in a political standoff in Washington, D.C.,” Kotek stated, voicing her frustration over the situation. One in six Oregonians, many of whom are children, the disabled, or seniors, depend on SNAP benefits for food.

The effects of the government shutdown have now lasted four weeks. Kotek has urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release emergency funds to help maintain SNAP benefits, but the agency has declined to act on these requests. Earlier this month, state officials warned that support would run out by the end of October. Meanwhile, food banks are bracing for an increase in demand, struggling to meet the needs of those facing food insecurity.

Historically, government shutdowns have resulted in hardship for low-income families. During the 2013 shutdown, nearly 50 million Americans were affected when SNAP benefits were put on hold. Each SNAP payment averages just about $6 per day per person, which highlights the struggles many families face.

Critics, including state Sen. Christine Drazan, have called for quicker action from Kotek. She pointed to Washington State’s plan to allocate $2.2 million weekly to support its food banks, urging Oregon to follow suit.

As the shutdown continues, many Oregonians are stepping up to help their neighbors. Community-led initiatives are forming, showing the resilience of people coming together during tough times. The food bank network’s challenges reflect a larger issue that resonates across the nation: how governmental decisions directly impact the most vulnerable.

To read more about hunger and its implications in Oregon, check out the report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

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