NWA food bank braces for no SNAP; governor announces emergency aid
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The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank can't fully make up for the loss of federal assistance — but it's doing its best.
The latest: A federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration must fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown — but it's unclear whether the ruling will take effect fast enough for recipients to get their money in time, Axios' April Rubin reports.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that payments "could be" made by Wednesday,
State of play: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Friday the state will distribute $500,000 from its reserve funds to six food banks, including the NWA Food Bank — about $83,300 each.
- Sanders will consider additional allocations weekly if the government shutdown continues, according to a news release from her office.
Context: SNAP benefits total about $41 million a month in Arkansas, according to the state's Department of Human Services.
Catch up quick: SNAP benefits usually start going out on the 4th of each month in Arkansas, making Tuesday the first day some low-income residents will not see the money they rely on to afford food.
- November SNAP payments were not expected to be made while the federal government is shut down, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture had said it would not use emergency funds to cover the shortfall.
What they're saying: "We are as prepared as we can be through uncertainty," NWA Food Bank vice president and chief strategy officer Taylor Speegle told Axios Thursday afternoon.
- The food bank has seen an influx of donations since the government shutdown has threatened SNAP, and it still needs help. It's working with agency partners to help distribute food and plans to add more boxes to its mobile pantries, which stop at 19 locations throughout the region.
- Monetary donations are most helpful to the food bank because the organization can buy food in bulk and stretch the money farther than most individuals, Speegle said. However, food donations, especially shelf-stable foods like canned goods, do help.
By the numbers: Children and older adults make up more than half of SNAP recipients in Arkansas. Of roughly 244,000 SNAP recipients statewide, nearly 100,000 are under 18, and almost 40,000 are 60 or older, according to data from the Arkansas DHS.
- Of Washington County's 9,413 recipients, 4,093 — or about 43% — are under 18. People 60 and older make up another 15% with 1,443 recipients.
- Benton County has 8,961 recipients, and more than 60% of them are either children or at least 60 years old. The county has 3,994 people under 18 and 1,436 people 60 and older on SNAP.
- The food bank serves Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll counties, where a total of about 21,300 people rely on SNAP, according to DHS data.
Zoom out: The disruption in benefits comes as the NWA Food Bank has already seen an increase in the number of people using its services due to factors such as population growth and the rising cost of living, Speegle said.
Zoom in: Community organizations have ramped up food drives for the organization, which are especially helpful when they also raise money, he said.
- He recommends that individuals ask those around them if they need help and assist if they can.