On November 4, the Summit County Board of Commissioners approved temporary emergency food assistance for local residents relying on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This new support began rolling out on November 10, with grocery cards distributed to SNAP recipients by the county’s emergency management and human resources departments.
The grocery cards provide 45% of the usual bi-monthly SNAP benefit. Each household can receive up to $775 per month. The initiative is set to run for two months, but it will depend on how long the federal government shutdown lasts. The program is estimated to cost around $100,000 per month.
Recipients need to bring IDs and case numbers to pick up their grocery cards. Distribution occurs at the Summit County Human Services offices in Frisco from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until November 14.
Due to a federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture stopped issuing SNAP benefits on November 1. This prompted a lawsuit against the Trump administration, leading to a judge ordering the use of emergency funds to continue support. While partial payments are expected, they may take weeks to be accessed.
In an email communication, Adrienne Saia Isaac, the communications director for Summit County, stressed the importance of helping vulnerable community members during this uncertain time. “We didn’t want to leave them waiting for benefits that might not come,” she stated.
For those not receiving SNAP but in need of food assistance, resources are available through local nonprofits. Groups like the Family Intercultural Resource Center and Smart Bellies offer support through food distributions. Recent trends show an increase in community donations to these organizations as residents rally to help each other during the crisis.
The Summit Foundation is also stepping in, providing $25,000 in emergency grants to assist food security nonprofits in the area, highlighting the community’s commitment to supporting its most vulnerable members. Ellen Reid, the executive director of the Summit Foundation, encouraged continued support for these organizations to ensure efficient and respectful aid delivery.
Food insecurity remains a pressing issue, especially during challenging times like these. According to the Food Research & Action Center, about 10.5% of U.S. households were food insecure in 2022, a slight increase compared to previous years. This statistic sheds light on the ongoing need for immediate food assistance and community support.
To stay informed about food assistance, SNAP recipients can call the county’s hotline at 970-668-4144 or visit SummitCountyCo.gov/SNAP. For additional resources, non-SNAP recipients can visit SummitCountyCo.gov/food.
