Local Resources are Available for SNAP Recipients Losing Access

At the direction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has paused the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on October 29 due to the federal government shutdown. USDA has notified the state that federally funded SNAP benefits for November will be delayed if the shutdown continues into next month.

Current SNAP recipients may continue to use any remaining benefits on their EBT cards. Unspent SNAP funds remain accessible for nine months from the date of last use.

Weighing in on the suspension of SNAP funding, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen placed the blame on Democrats in Washington playing political games.

But the extended government shutdown, and now suspension of food security resources like SNAP, is placing an ever greater strain on the millions of Americans who depend on this aid.

“[It] certainly has us on high alert and we’re doing everything we can to resource food as quickly as possible,” Crossroads Mission Avenue Executive Director Daniel Bowler told KCNI/KBBN. “In fact, kind of even before all of this, we’ve seen the need going up this year and have been trying to keep up with it. So this will kind of compound the issue and we’re anticipating having to work very hard and to find resources to cover those needs.”

For those who depend on SNAP, other local resources may be available to help bridge the gap. Local Food Pantries include:

Broken Bow: 1100 South 6th Ave, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Ansley: Behind Flatwater Bank, 624 Main St, 3rd Thursday of the month 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Arnold: 602 East Arnold Ave, 1st and 3rd Saturdays, 10:00 AM – Noon
Callaway: 207 E Morse Street, 1st and 3rd Mondays, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Taylor: 202 Murry Street, Second Thursday of the month, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Food Bank for the Heartland will have a Mobile Food Pantry at the First Baptist Church in Mason City starting at 3:00 PM on November 6. Crossroads Mission Avenue operates a Mobile Food Pantry in coordination with Food Bank For the Heartland that is scheduled in Broken Bow in February.

Most food pantries have posted contact information for emergencies as well.

A variety of basic needs can be met by the Broken Bow Food Pantry according to coordinator Jackie Ryan.

“We have a basic supply of food products and some personal products, a little bit of cleaning products,” said Ryan, “and we’ll continue to help our Custer County individuals that are in need of that service. … We do have an application that they would fill out and they are eligible to come in once a month. We will also help out in emergency type situations. There are numbers on the door that if you would find yourself in an emergency situation and need some food, you would call one of us and we’d come and help you out. We’re not going to turn anybody away. “

Area food pantries are always open to donations of food and extra funds to support their operations.

“We’re always open for donations,” said Ryan of the Broken Bow Food Pantry, “Monetary donations, food donations, there’s nothing we’re going to refuse. People in this county are very generous and the food pantry has been taken care of by the Custer County people. We are so appreciative for all the donations and help out that we get.”

DHHS is actively coordinating with food banks, nonprofit partners, and community organizations across Nebraska during this period. Additional state-wide food assistance resources include: