FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — As the government shutdown continues, marking one of the longest in history, hundreds of thousands of people across the country are being impacted.
“A government shutdown resulting in federal workers not being paid, SNAP not being distributed to those in need,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer.
Friday morning, Congressman Jim Costa and local leaders were part of a round table to discuss a temporary solution to help those whose lives depend on SNAP benefits here in the Central Valley.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the SNAP program, is scheduled to freeze SNAP payments beginning November 1.
Costa highlighted how many people in his district would be hurt if funds stopped coming through.
“This decision will impact 30% of my constituents in my district, that is over 67,000 people …230,000 homes,” said Congressman Jim Costa.
The Central California Food Bank CEO says about 660-thousand people depend on them and are receiving more calls now than ever.
“We’ve been seeing the impact for a while but the level of anxiety and concern over snap benefits funding has really multiplied,” said Natalie Caples. “The amount of neighbors calling our facility increased by over 100%”
Mayor Dyer announced that the city is contributing 250 thousand dollars, with 50 thousand coming from Councilmember Esparaza’s district.
” I think what we need is to plan for the worst and hope for the best and that is why we are providing these funds to the food bank.”
Esparaza says he remembers helping needy families enroll for benefits and hopes they won’t have to experience hunger amid the holidays.
The Fresno County Department of Social Services also wants to emphasize that, despite what happens in November with funding, you can still apply for benefits at their office.
They also want you to know that if funding is halted, it doesn’t mean your benefits are cancelled, they are just on a pause until further notice.
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