Because of the government shutdown, a benefit that helps more than 600,000 Kentucky families put food on the table is set to run out Saturday, Nov. 1.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is a federal program that helps roughly one in eight Kentuckians buy groceries each month with prepaid electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.
At an Oct. 20 news conference, Gov. Andy Beshear said the state will not be able to pay for the November SNAP benefits.
“My hope is that either the federal government will find a way to fund SNAP, which I think there is an argument they can even with the government shutdown, or the government will reopen in time for us to process those payments,” he said.
Beshear encouraged Kentuckians to seek out their local food banks for help, but LEX18 reports that the state’s food banks don’t have the inventory to handle the need that will result from the loss of these food benefits.
“For every meal a food bank distributes, SNAP provides approximately nine meals to households receiving benefits,” LEX18 reports.
Not only will this impact families, it will also impact local grocery stores and more, according to a Your Local Epidemiologist newsletter.
According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services website, 3324 individuals in Adair County receive these benefits with 1217 being under the age of 18 and 672 over the age of 60.
“Here are some ways to help your community, as outlined by Dr. Liz Marnik for YLE:
– Donate money to your local food pantry. Every bit adds up.
– Organize a food drive at your work, school or other community location. Be sure to connect to your local pantry to find out what food items they actually need and can accept.
– Make a meal and deliver it to a family you know is in need.
– Ask your child’s school if you can drop off extra snacks (if they don’t already provide free breakfasts and lunches).
– Volunteer to cook for/at a local community meal.
– Call your representatives and urge them to act on health care and food access.
– SNAP benefit updates can be found on the state’s Department for Community-Based Services webpage.
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
Adair County Food Assistance
J.O.Y. Ministry has been busy adding to its food pantry. The local non-profit organization is located at 400 Greensburg St. and can be reached at 270-380-1808.
The Old Concord Community Church Food Pantry will have its next food distribution on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. The church is located at 5996 Fairplay Rd.
Blessing Box Locations
Fairgrounds – 413 Fairground St.
Beulah Chapel Church – 4262 Liberty Rd.
Bearwallow Church – 6090 Liberty Rd.
Purdy Separate Baptist Church – 8004 Liberty Rd.
Little Cake Christian Church – 2699 Little Cake Rd.
Steel Magnolia – 1405 Campbellsville Rd.
Egypt Christian Church – 4867 Knifley Rd.
Casey Creek Masonic Lodge #536 – 14730 Knifley Rd.
Sonrise Church – 7299 HWY 55 South Rd.
Glensfork Church of the Nazarene – 7811 KY-55
Trinity Church – 2418 Campbellsville Rd.
Through the Fire Worship Center – 24 Burnett Rd.
Flatwoods Separate Baptist Church/Living by Faith Community Church – 3041 Edmonton Rd.
201 Tutt St.
Bethany Baptist Church – 4560 Greensburg Rd.
Milltown Church – 1405 Campbellsville Rd.
Cane Valley Christian Church – 2250 Cane Valley Rd.
Cane Valley Baptist Church – 3145 Cane Valley Rd.
Knifley Chapel Brethren – Christ Church – 6029 Elkhorn Rd.
Dunbar Hill Church – 100 Caldwell Ridge Rd.
Free Union Separate Baptist Church – 4600 Sano Rd.
Breeding Church – 605 Breeding Loop
Breath of Grace – Public Square /Annex Building Corner
Emory Chapel UMC Church – 1830 HWY 1952 Rd.
Abiding Hope Counseling – 375 Office Park Dr.
Glensfork Community Church – 7974 HWY 55 S Rd.
