Marion County Seeking Ways To Fill In Funding Gap Left By Federal Pause On SNAP Benefits

MARION COUNTY, Ore. — With the federal government’s looming pause on SNAP benefits set to take effect on November 1 because of the federal government shutdown, the Marion County Board of Commissioners met last night to discuss how the County can support food-insecure people in the community.

Marion County Finding Ways To Supplement SNAP Benefits

Although Marion County’s WIC supplemental nutrition program for mothers, infants, and children remains open and funded through November, the commissioners are discussing strategies to provide a stopgap measure to address the shortage of federal SNAP benefits funding.

Under discussion was the allocation of $100,000 in economic development dollars over the next two weeks to fund additional food baskets in partnership with local food shares.

This could supplement an estimated 300,000 meals per week by purchasing in bulk at food-share rates. County residents who qualify for SNAP benefits could get food through this strategy.

Decisions on SNAP benefits have officially expired, or the federal government has reopened. The final decisions will be finalized early next week.

If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, find more information on current resources from the Marion Polk Food Share. Resources for mothers and children are available through the County’s WIC program.

Commissioner Kevin Cameron noted the sad situation and said, “I just want to say to our neighbors who may be affected by this, we’re here for you and working with our partners toward meeting our community’s needs in this difficult time.”