SNAP Benefits may not be distributed in November; where to find food in Carrboro
PORCH says the loss will affect nearly 4,700 households in Orange County including at least 1500 people in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
On Friday, October 24, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provided guidance and a partisan notification to states saying that it would not spend the $6 billion Congressionally authorized contingency reserve to fund SNAP, nor would it reimburse states funding SNAP through state resources in the absence of federal disbursement. In response, 25 states, including North Carolina, sued the federal government to require the disbursement of the contingency funds.
In a possible violation of the Hatch Act, a 1939 law prohibiting many government employees from engaging in certain kinds of political activity, a partisan notice appears on the USDA website and falsely states that Senate Democrats have voted to not fund SNAP because they are holding out for "gender mutilation procedures" thus preventing benefits from being issued November 1.
Orange County advises SNAP recipients to plan ahead and "prioritize essential grocery items." OC Social Services and the NC Cooperative Extension are working with organizations to "plan for increased demand." They published a list of places to find food (below).
There are four sites distributing food in Carrboro.
From the Carrboro Farmers' Market: "We are still planning on continuing the Double Bucks program at the Carrboro Farmers' Market in light of the government shutdown. If people do not receive their benefits, they can still participate in the "cash match" program, where they bring cash, show us their SNAP/EBT or e-WIC card, and then we will give them double the amount in Double Bucks ($20 in cash = $40 in tokens). We can match up to $50 per transaction."
In addition, The United Way of North Carolina provides free and confidential service information, including where to find food, when you dial 211.
Erin Riney, Executive Director of PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro, told The Carrborean they serve 760 families which is over 3000 individuals. Like other food service organizations, they are preparing for the impact of the federal government's refusal to pay SNAP benefits. They currently support 16 distribution sites in Chapel Hill and Carrboro with 1500 lbs. of food each month. They are increasing efforts to distribute 2000 lbs. due to the anticipated increase in needs.
In an emailed call to action, PORCH suggests ways people can help, including organizing a food drive, donating money and food, and volunteering.
*Updated previous post with information about the Hatch Act and the Carrboro Farmers' Market.