Local Food Banks Gear Up for Challenges as SNAP Funding Faces Suspension – Alamosa Citizen

As November approaches, the Food Bank Network of the San Luis Valley is bracing for a surge in demand. With federal SNAP benefits set to stop, local food banks expect more visitors and new clients seeking assistance.

Annalise Baer, director of the SLV Food Bank Network, expressed concerns about this situation. “We expect a significant increase in the number of people relying on us,” she said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed on its website that no SNAP benefits would be issued starting November 1, following a government shutdown.

SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, varies by state. Colorado managed to fund October’s benefits but warned that the federal government will not reimburse states for November’s payments, leading to a critical situation for food banks.

With many SNAP recipients being directed to local food banks, Baer noted that they had already seen a record turnout during a recent food giveaway. “Many people have nowhere else to turn,” she said. “We’re seeing new faces regularly, especially as news spreads about the suspension of SNAP benefits.”

The SLV Food Bank Network operates 15 food banks, with the largest located in Alamosa. Earlier this year, Baer reported that about one in three residents in Alamosa County relied on food pantries to get by.

Baer also mentioned that their current budget for food is lower than in previous years, allowing them to provide only three days’ worth of food per visit. “We can’t promise additional food right now without compromising our future supplies,” she said. The urgency for support is palpable, with around 11,000 individuals in the San Luis Valley receiving SNAP benefits monthly, especially children.

Governor Jared Polis is advocating for $10 million from the Colorado Legislature to assist with SNAP benefits. Furthermore, Colorado and 22 other states have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, claiming the suspension of SNAP during the government shutdown is unlawful. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser emphasized the need for the federal government to uphold its responsibilities to those in need.

Local leaders recognize the challenges families are facing. State Senator Cleave Simpson remarked on the urgency, especially for rural areas in Colorado. “We must find a solution in Congress to help these families,” he said.

As the food banks gear up for the increased demand, Baer is actively collaborating with local organizations to gather more food donations. “We’re doing everything we can to meet this growing need,” she noted.

With the community’s support, food banks hope to bridge the gap caused by halted SNAP benefits, ensuring that families in need don’t go hungry this November.

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Community News,Federal government,Food,San Luis Valley Food Banks,SNAP