Area food pantries in Door and Kewaunee counties hope to ensure you have food on your table if you rely on assistance. The United States Department of Agriculture announced on Monday that there will be no benefits issued on November 1st for its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), placing the blame squarely on Senate Democrats who they say have voted 12 times not to fund the food stamp program. According to the USA Today, more than 42 million Americans could be forced to look elsewhere for healthy food options as a result of SNAP funding drying up due to the government shutdown. Approximately 700,000 Wisconsinites will be impacted by the SNAP shutdown on November 1st. Senate President Mary Felzkowski told Milwaukee-based WISN that she does not see the state stepping in to fill in the gap, placing food pantries in local communities as the last hope for many families. United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle says the members of the Door County Food Pantry Coalition have been meeting regularly to discuss “what if” scenarios if the government shutdowns stretch out further. Partnerships with Washington Island’s Gathering Ground and the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station are helping the 10 members fill their shelves with fresh produce. She adds that gift cards to area grocery stores are playing an important role to fill the need in the community.
Dan Westbrook from the Washington Island Food Pantry says they have been keeping close tabs on individuals on the island that they know need help and making sure they are being taken care of during this time of uncertainty.
Kohnle and Westbrook both said that monetary donations are the best way to support the food pantries so they can fill out their shelves with what is missing and needed. The sticking point remains healthcare, with Senate Democrats pushing for enhanced premium tax credits within the Affordable Care Act to be extended while Senate Republicans are calling on their colleagues to pass the House of Representatives’ clean resolution first before they come to the table.
