Families who normally receive SNAP benefits can receive gift cards from local organizations starting Monday.
At its Oct. 28 meeting, the Henderson County Fiscal Court approved $21,000 in grant funding to be split among three different organizations to help those affected by the pause in funding from SNAP, or food stamps, because of the current federal government shutdown.
The Henderson County Homeless Coalition, Henderson Christian Community Outreach and the Salvation Army each were granted $7,000 for assistance. That funding has been disseminated and is ready to use, according to Melissa Collier, the homeless case manager with the Daniel Pitino Shelter and the homeless coalition.
Additionally, the Henderson City Commission approved $5,000 in funding to the Daniel Pitino Shelter Henderson. Collier said that funding has not yet been sent as of Friday.
Collier said all the organizations will use the money to buy Sureway gift cards for eligible families in Henderson County.
Each organization will give the gift cards to 12 eligible families each week, she said. To receive the gift card, a family member must call to make an appointment and then must show a SNAP benefit award letter dated within the last 90 days and an identification card, Collier said.
Families will also only be able to receive one card from one organization, Collier said. All the organizations are working together to prevent double-dipping, she said.
Finally, Collier said when the SNAP pause ends, this gift card program will also end and any remaining money will be returned to the county.
As the SNAP pause began last week, Collier said she’s been receiving calls from families daily as they try to find resources for food “once the day comes SNAP is supposed to arrive and not there.”
In addition to Sureway gift cards, a grocery bag pickup is scheduled at the warming box near Hays Boat Ramp for Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. till the food is gone. Donations for the pickup can be dropped off from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 14 at the same location and donations are asked to include Thanksgiving meal items, Collier said.
There will also be a Friendsgivng lunch from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. on Nov. 17 at the Henderson County Public Library, Collier said.
Another event is free peanut butter and jelly sandwich and chili at the Hays Boat Ramp from 12 noon- 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Information on other ways to get assistance can be found here.
Contact numbers
Henderson County Homeless Coalition: (270) 823-5469
Salvation Army: (270) 826-4472
Henderson Christian Community Outreach: (270) 826-5592
