Judges issue SNAP rulings

A pair of federal judges ruled that emergency funding must be used to keep food aid flowing. 

If, when and how that will happen is still in question.

Local businesses and nonprofits have plans to help in the interim.

U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island announced that he would order the U.S. Department of Agriculture to distribute contingency money “as soon as possible” for November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.  U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts rejected the Trump administration’s stance that it is legally banned from using alternative funding sources for the program during the ongoing government shutdown.

Before Friday's rulings, SNAP benefits were expected to be cut off beginning today, with states left to decide whether they would step in to fill the gap. (The federal government had warned that states would not later be reimbursed if they did so.)

Indiana’s State Budget Committee rejected a push this week to use state surplus funding to help low-income Hoosiers and food banks. On Thursday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, signed an executive order directing the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to provide up to $25 million to help those who would be impacted by the suspension of federal SNAP benefits.

Locally, some business owners were stepping in to provide assistance. Firehouse BBQ and Blues announced it will be offering 50 free meals of pulled chicken, green beans, buns and BBQ sauce for pickup each Sunday at its locations, including 126 E. Commerce St., Dunkirk. The meals will be available from noon to 1 p.m. on Sundays until SNAP benefits are reinstated. The Block-Bites Truck, a local food truck, planned to offer a 20% discount on all products today.

Firehouse co-owner Nick Arbogast explained that he first saw the idea via 5 Arch Brewing Co. of Centerville and he and business partner Dustin Garvin jumped on board, as did several other restaurants.

“We loved the idea, love helping people in need,” said Arbogast, emphasizing a commitment to community. “We wanted to give back to the people that are always supporting us in our communities.”

He’s hopeful others in Jay County will join the effort.

“Coming together in times of need is essential to have a thriving community,” he said. “I really hope that we don’t have to turn anybody away. My goal is to get other people on board so that way there’s more resources.”

Second Harvest Food Bank responded to the impending loss of funding, saying more than 50,000 residents in its service area. That includes $261,711 in benefits to 1,452 Jay County residents, 7.2% of the county’s population.

“This shutdown is more than a political stalemate. It’s a crisis for families who depend on SNAP to put food on the table,” said Bekah Clawson, Second Harvest president & CEO, in a news release. “We’re seeing food insecurity already at record highs, and with benefits suspended, families are suddenly left without the most basic resources. We will do everything we can to respond, but this is a moment that requires all of us to step up.”

The release said Second Harvest is activating its emergency response plan to increase food distributions in its service area, which includes Jay, Blackford, Randolph, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Madison and Wabash counties. There was already a special distribution Friday at Jay County Fairgrounds. Another tailgate food distribution will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at Jay County Fairgrounds.

The distribution schedule and other options for assistance are available at curehunger.org/get-help. Resources listed in Jay County include:

•Trinity ArchBridge Church Food Pantry — 3:30 to 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 323 S. Meridian St., Portland

•Asbury United Methodist Church Senior Safety Net — 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at 204 E. Arch St., Portland

•Dunkirk Community Food Pantry — 3 to 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at Dunkirk Church of the Nazarene, 226 E. Center St., Dunkirk

Second Harvest also asked for donations via curehunger.org/donate and volunteers via curehunger.org/get-involved/volunteer.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is funded in November, the organization said.

Even with the court orders, the USDA said Friday that SNAP benefits could be delayed or onlypartially funded because contingency money will not cover a full month.