Chaffee BoCC Greenlights Crucial Emergency Food Aid for Local Residents: A Lifeline from Jan Wondra – Ark Valley Voice

During a recent meeting, the Chaffee Board of County Commissioners voted to allocate $75,000 for emergency food aid. This decision comes as the federal government announced that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be issued starting November 1. This means families in Chaffee County could lose out on about $360,000 in monthly assistance.

Commissioner P.T. Wood emphasized the urgency of this situation. “People won’t receive their SNAP benefits for the first two weeks of November,” he said. Although SNAP payments may eventually be resumed, families need immediate support for food.

Monica Haskell, the Director of Human Services, revealed that 1,200 families in Chaffee will be affected. Typically, SNAP benefits are distributed based on the last digit of Social Security numbers, but with the current uncertainty, families may face delays.

Governor Jared Polis has urged the state budget committee to allocate $10 million to food banks. This funding could provide some relief to Chaffee County, as it aims to help families who won’t receive their usual SNAP support. Haskell proposed that the Board of Commissioners provide $100,000 to cover 25% of families’ regular benefits.

Triple A is also stepping in, offering over $360,000 to support seniors aged 50 and older across Colorado, addressing a growing need in the community.

The BoCC’s funding will come from the general fund as a temporary measure. Of the approved $75,000, $50,000 will go to the Department of Human Services, while the remaining $25,000 will support local food bank programs.

Chaffee County is not alone in this effort. The city of Salida recently approved a matching fund of $15,000, with Buena Vista also considering similar support. Betsy Dittenber, director of the Chaffee County Community Foundation, stated that they have been preparing for this situation since March. She pointed out that existing food access resources, which rely heavily on volunteers, need sustainable support.

“Every dollar spent with a food provider stretches further than at a grocery store,” Dittenber explained. This highlights the importance of strengthening current food access programs rather than starting new initiatives.

Calls for long-term solutions are also emerging. Commissioner Gina Lucrezi raised concerns about the growing need for robust food access systems. Dittenber indicated that better local food storage could reduce dependency on distant food banks, improving community resilience.

Meanwhile, it’s essential to recognize the broader context. The decision not to issue SNAP payments amid the federal shutdown has led several states, including Colorado, to challenge the federal government.

In summary, while immediate action is being taken to support vulnerable families in Chaffee County, deeper conversations about long-term solutions for food security are crucial. The community’s ability to come together during this crisis reflects its resilience and commitment to ensuring everyone has access to food.



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