An Update from Food for Lane County

In late October, we learned that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 75,000 Lane County residents would be disrupted by the ongoing government shutdown. SNAP is the most effective poverty eradication program in the United States. SNAP benefits are an essential part of how families, seniors, and other neighbors provide for their families. In the ensuing days, we have prepared to mobilize in response to the increased need we anticipate.

Everyone at Food for Lane County has been humbled by the outpouring of community support. We simply cannot thank you enough for your donations, for organizing food drives, for bringing bags of food to share, and for caring for our neighbors.

Food for Lane County’s current actions

• We have ordered two full truckloads of protein (tuna fish and peanut butter) and 2 additional full truckloads of pantry staples (rice, pasta, soup, cereal).
• We plan to purchase at least 6 more truckloads of food before the end of the calendar year to meet increased need during the holiday season—need that will be compounded by new restrictions on SNAP announced as part of HR 1.
• We have 11 rural Mobile Pantry distributions planned, including to distribute holiday foods to areas with minimal food pantry services.
• Last week, Governor Tina Kotek announced an Emergency Food Insecurity Declaration, which will provide FFLC with additional funds to purchase and distribute much-needed food in November and December.
• We’re reaching out to local distributors to identify excess food they may have for purchase, and working with Fresh Alliance partners to increase milk and bread donations.
• We’re working with our current pantry and meal site partners to understand what volume of people they’re seeing.
• We are prepared to offer more meals at the Dining Room with increased hours if needed.

What we know about SNAP right now

• On Friday 10/31, two federal judges ruled that SNAP benefits had to be paid out.
• On Monday 11/3, it was announced that SNAP recipients will receive only partial payments this month.
• It remains unclear how much will be paid out, when those payments will arrive on EBT cards, or if future legal action could compel payment of benefits in full.

We will post occasional updates to social media as the situation develops. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. You can also sign up for our Enews to receive ongoing communications about Food for Lane County programs and community partnerships.

If you need food, visit the Food Finder on our website.

If you’d like to make a gift in support of our work, you can do so here. Thank you so much for your partnership and support.