(Details of special food distribution are at the bottom of the article)
Perhaps a national and state timeline will be helpful as background for appreciating how local volunteers have been mobilizing to address the uncertainty faced by 455 Custer County households dependent on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
– Sunday/Monday, October 26/27: the federal administration and USDA announced that as of November 1, “the well is dry,” discontinuing SNAP benefits to 42 million Americans during the government shutdown, noting that the reserve fund set aside for emergencies in the program would not be tapped.
– Tuesday, October 28: Colorado joins 24 other states, representing about 25 million SNAP recipients, in suing the federal administration, asking a Massachusetts federal judge to restore the benefits, including using the contingency fund.
– Wednesday, October 29: the US Senate does not approve a push to fund SNAP during the shutdown.
– Wednesday/Thursday, October 29/30: Colorado’s state Joint Budget Committee unanimously approved extending $10 million from the state’s reserve to assist food pantries and distribution facilities across the state, noting that does not begin to approach meeting the $120 million provided monthly to SNAP households.
– Friday, October 31: Two federal judges, including the judge hearing Colorado’s case with 24 other states, order the federal administration to use USDA emergency funds to restore SNAP in full or in part; one requires the government respond by Monday, November 3 regarding its plans.
– Saturday/Sunday, November 1/2: POTUS signals adhering to the order, then backs off, indicating there is no legal way for the government to proceed, and asking the courts for “clarity” and “legal avenues.”
– Sunday, November 2: In a “60 Minutes” interview conducted at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, POTUS, among other things, maintained a politicized posture towards the government shutdown, and indicated no plan for mediating an opening of government services.
– Sunday/Monday, November 2/3: The USDA emails grocery stores across the nation to not provide discounts to SNAP recipients. Local Lowe’s manager Rob Phelp, told the Tribune Monday mid-morning that he was not yet aware of any corporate memo to that effect; “We are in this together,” he said, “and will do everything we can to be of help in the community.”
The Washington Post stated late Monday morning November 3, that in partial compliance with the Rhode Island federal district court mandate, the federal administration will release enough funds to provide a half-month’s SNAP benefits.
However, the matter is so mired in delay and vituperative politics that it seems the loading of SNAP benefit cards will at the very least be delayed into later this month.
Over against this uncertainty and chaos, the Custer County Community Sharing Center (CCCSC) volunteer leadership has been engaged in proactive conversations with Custer County Human Services, Southern Colorado Care and Share—its umbrella agency in which it is one of scores of purchasing agents and partners—the Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation (WMVCF), and Lowe’s. The conversations began before October 26, anticipating increased demand for food supplements within the government shutdown period.
One result was Monday’s Care and Share semi-truck delivery of some extra food stuffs for local distribution. Furthermore, CCCSC manager, Cindy Wilson, told the Tribune that last Friday she signed an agreement with Southern Colorado Care and Share for a $2,300 food purchase budget supplement; it will be used in November solely to purchase food “to provide for our neighbors in need.” Wilson does not yet know how Feed America will be directing to the Center its portion of Colorado’s $10 million food supplement relief funds. In the meantime, the hardworking volunteers will staff an additional, special food distribution day this month, Friday, November 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At the Sharing Center during the Monday off-load of Thanksgiving turkeys, TEFAP boxes, and other food stuffs, she added, “The Sharing Center is stepping up best we can with extra food inventory, including for Thanksgiving; it will be a crazy month, and we’ll do our most. There’s also 150 pounds of hamburger we’re picking up next week.”
Scott Clipner, the Care and Share driver for Westcliffe deliveries, is one of 17 semi drivers for the organization. “I’ve done this for eight and a half years,” he said on Monday, “and I love this work. Right now we’re busier than usual, getting more food to more places the best we can.”
As well, WMVCF is rallying community resources to see to it that no one goes hungry. Their website (wmvcf.org) and Facebook page list agencies that are contributing to local need as well as agencies needing local support. The WMVCF sources provide contact information not only for the CCCSC, but for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Custer County Senior Citizens’ Center, Cordova Builders, the Machelle Williams Group, the Sangre de Cristo Humanists, and WMCVF’s networking with local restaurants, businesses, and volunteers for food and holiday meal support.
The Tribune’s local news ally, KLZR, also listed a summary of the WMVCF communal efforts in last Monday’s “Valley News.”
While praising and supporting local efforts to alleviate the pain of SNAP cessation, the Tribune also hopes that by the Wednesday evening/Thursday morning distribution of this edition, a clear plan will have been put in place for the full restoration of SNAP benefits. The county’s 455 households with over 600 resident citizens—children, the elderly, veterans, handicapped—who depend on SNAP deserve better from our government, even while our good local folks caringly come to their aid.
– W.A. Ewing
