Macon-Bibb County Commission allocates $150,000 to food banks in wake of shutdown

The $150,000, allocated by county commissioners, will be distributed among 11 local food banks and other organizations that help families put food on the table.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Today marks day 36 of the government shutdown, making it the longest in U.S. history. As pauses in federal food assistance programs create uncertainty for families across Middle Georgia, Macon-Bibb County has committed $150,000 to fighting food insecurity.

“This crisis was not created in Macon-Bibb County, it was created in Washington D.C,” said Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller. “The burden shouldn’t fall at our feet, but we can’t stand by and not do anything.”

The $150,000, allocated by county commissioners, will be distributed among 11 local food banks and other organizations that help families put food on the table. Kathy McCollum, President and CEO of the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, says one in six Middle Georgia families face food insecurity, and one in five in Macon-Bibb County.

“The best way of having that food assistance is the SNAP program,” McCollum said. “And with this disruption in those SNAP benefits, it’s certainly causing a lot of people to have additional struggles.” 

The food bank has served Middle Georgians for more than four decades. McCollum says the name of each crisis may change, but the goal remains the same.

“We certainly had a lot of challenges with the COVID pandemic a few years ago,” McCollum said. “This is just another chapter in what we do.”

Miller says his prayers go out to those who’ve lost benefits they rely on for nutrition and says he’s proud to work with local groups to fill in the gaps.

“We have 11 great organizations that have a proven track record,” Miller said. “We want to get those checks out to them immediately so that they can begin buying food and getting it out in our community this week and next week.” 

Miller says the county will continue to monitor the shutdown’s impact on Macon-bibb County and explore ways to help. The Middle Georgia Community Food Bank encourages those who are able to donate food, money, and volunteer efforts.