Food bank offers recommendation for potential suspension of SNAP benefits

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- "The well has run dry," according to the United States Department of Agriculture, when talking about food stamps.

The statement on the USDA's homepage explains that if the government shutdown continues until Nov. 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be available.

With the government on day 27 of a shutdown and the possibility of SNAP benefits being suspended, many questions loom.

Roughly one out of every eight people across the country depends on SNAP benefits to provide food for their families.

The program is funded by the federal government, but is administered by the states.

If SNAP benefits do indeed get suspended, Second Harvest Community Food Bank advises St. Joseph residents to seek out their local food pantries.

"There's probably 20 mobile pantry distributions that we conduct each month. Some of those are in St. Joe. Some of those are not far away in communities like Savannah or across the river in Kansas," said Chad Higdon, the chief executive officer at Second Harvest. "So, anybody can really come to those."

Higdon also encourages people who are interested in helping those in need during this time to get involved through volunteering.

"We've got donated products to sort through that individuals can come down to the food bank and help us prepare for those distributions," said Higdon.

For information on these local food pantries or how to get involved through volunteering, please visit www.shcfb.org.