Still in need

 The government shutdown is over.

The need remains.

United Way of Jay County and other local organizations are partnering on a fundraising drive to continue providing help to those who did not have access to government assistance programs this month.

Jane Ann Runyon, executive director of United Way of Jay County, said that while Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have been reinstated, there may be delays in access.

“There may be some issues till they get it started back up,” said Runyon. “And it’s holiday time. So there’s still need.” 

The United Way is partnering with Jay County Chamber of Commerce, Purdue University Extension, the county health department, Jay County Development Corporation and Second Harvest Food Bank on a drive to ensure that those in need have access to food. They have set a goal of bringing in enough funds to feed 1,000 people.

Donations can be made by cash or check in person at the United Way of Jay County office, 101 S. Meridian St., Portland, inside John Jay Center for Learning; by mailing a check to the office; or online at unitedwayjaycounty.org. Checks should note “food assistance” in the memo line.

September data show that 1,452 individuals in Jay County received SNAP benefits totaling $261,711. That’s a little more than 7% of the county’s population.

Those who went without benefits, in some cases, depleted savings or relied on credit, according to a news release from Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana.

“For the thousands of families who depend on SNAP, this news brings relief, but the recovery will take time,” said Bekah Clawson, president and CEO of the food bank that serves Jay, Blackford, Randolph, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Madison and Wabash counties. “Even with benefits being restored, we’re continuing to see record demand at our food distributions as neighbors work to catch up.”

Runyon noted that the regularly scheduled food tailgates on the first Wednesday of each month at Jay County Fairgrounds average 220 to 250 vehicles. A special tailgate that was added on Halloween hit 330, and the regular tailgate on Nov. 5 was about 280. She added that the food pantries in Dunkirk and Portland have also seen significant increases in those seeking assistance.

She said she’s also had some requests from mothers regarding access to baby formula.

In response to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits being cut off on Nov. 1, The Portland Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Second Harvest to be distributed at $12,500 per week for four weeks if the federal government shutdown continued.

Runyon said that funding helped greatly but also noted uncertainties moving forward. The agreement that brought an end to the longest shutdown in U.S. government history last week only provided funding through Jan. 30.

Second Harvest will host the following food tailgate distributions this week:

•Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Redkey Morgan Park, 102 W. Holmes Ave., Redkey

•Thursday, Nov. 20, at Blackford County Fairgrounds, 409 E. Park Ave., Hartford City

•Friday, Nov. 21, at Jay County Fairgrounds, 806 E. Votaw St., Portland

•Saturday, Nov. 22, at Second Harvest Food Bank Warehouse, 6621 N. Old State Route 3, Muncie

All tailgates are scheduled for 10 a.m.

Additional resources in Jay County include:

•Trinity ArchBridge Church Food Pantry — 4:30 to 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday 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