SNAP benefits for 687,000 Georgia households at risk as shutdown continues

The Georgia Department of Human Services says federal funding for SNAP benefits could run out next month if the government shutdown isn’t resolved.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – More than 687,000 Georgia households that rely on SNAP benefits could see their food assistance disrupted next month if the federal government shutdown continues.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified states that it does not have enough money to cover November SNAP issuances without congressional action, according to the Georgia Department of Human Services.

DHS spokesperson Ellen Brown said SNAP benefits are 100% federally funded through the USDA, and Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services disburses those benefits to eligible households.

“We understand how important SNAP benefits are to Georgia families and are closely monitoring the situation,” Brown said in an email to 41NBC. “We will communicate directly with clients about potential changes.”

President and CEO of the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank Kathy McCollum said her organization has already seen an increase in locals needing food assistance.

“With the expectations now that the SNAP payments in November will be delayed because of the government shutdown, we expect people who would normally be able to go to the grocery store to turn to our network of food or food pantries for that food assistance,” McCollum said.

McCollum explained that throughout the year, her organization has seen changes in USDA funding and food availability.

“Some of the loads we were expecting to come in were canceled earlier in the year. Because of the government shutdown, we’re not really seeing an immediate change in the USDA foods that are coming in,” McCollum said.

She added that the government funding changes for USDA products have negatively impacted the food bank.

“We’ve had to rely on our donors of money to be able to purchase food,” she said. “Thankfully we have some wonderful grants from corporations and foundations that are helping us purchase food that offsets some of that reduction.”

At the Impact Therapy Community Pantry, receptionist Anna Beth said they’ve also seen an increase in need, not only for food, but for diapers and clothes as well.

“I’ve noticed a steady flow of incoming needs, and we try to keep it stocked as much as we can,” she said. “The pantry and toy closet are stocked by just community volunteers. So everything that comes in is donated by the community and therapists here and their families.”

Speech language pathologist Jamison Machen said the pantry plans to continue serving families in need.

“We’re going to continue to let the community know what we need,” Machen said. “And again, the therapists help stock it, and our families help restock it, so we’re just going to keep going.”

McCollum said the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank will continue to monitor the situation and assess its ability to buy more food.

You can find the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank at 4490 Ocmulgee E Blvd in Macon. You can reach them at (478) 742-3958. Impact Therapy Community Pantry is located at 1291 S Houston Lake Rd in Warner Robins. You can reach them at (478) 333-2299.