The Henderson County Fiscal Court Tuesday approved a plan to supply grants to three local food-providing organizations in preparation for a stoppage of SNAP benefits which—if the federal government shutdown doesn’t end—will go into effect on Saturday.
The fiscal court approved $21,000, or $7,000 each to the Henderson Christian Community Outreach, the Salvation Army and the Henderson County Homeless Coalition.
The suggestion from Judge-Executive Brad Schneider came after the fiscal court heard from representatives of the homeless coalition, Melissa Collier and Britney Smith, who were there for a regular update the organization provides to the fiscal court.
Near the end of their presentation, Schneider brought up the possibility of the loss of SNAP affecting dozens and dozens of families in the community and the likelihood that people will go hungry.
“This is going to become acute really quickly,” he said.
Schneider first suggested the money come from American Rescue Plan Act funds, but Treasurer Brenda Rider said the funding would most likely need to come from the county’s general fund.
Collier, also the homeless case manager with the Daniel Pitino Shelter Henderson, said she has been part of a recent drive to collect donations. Two pick-up dates have been set: Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. until all the food is gone and Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. until all the food is gone. Both will be at the warming box at Hays Boat Ramp.
Kendall Dean, the executive director of the Fr. Bradley Shelter for Women and Children spoke at the end of the meeting and asked that the fiscal court consider further funding for her organization. She said every resident of the shelter currently is on SNAP.
City commission also chips in with a $5,000 grant to help provide food
The Henderson City Commission Tuesday afternoon approved a $5,000 grant to help provide food.
The funding will go to the Daniel Pitino Shelter, said Mayor Brad Staton.
In Tuesday’s meeting, Staton expressed his displeasure with the state of federal political leadership, all pointing fingers instead of working together and keeping the government shut down. That leaves local people needing help, he said.
“You’re going to go through a period where you’ll need more resources,” he told Collier. “You’re definitely going to need something.”
Collier has said that the stoppage of SNAP, also known as food stamps, will be devastating for many people, including children, in Henderson.
Smith told the city commission that food was the third-highest need that Daniel Pitino Shelter clients sought when meeting with employees of the shelter in the last fiscal year.
“We are expecting to see that rise after Saturday and probably significantly,” she said.
