STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Hunger Coalition is preparing for an increase in Wood River Valley residents needing weekly groceries as the government shutdown continues.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamp, benefits are expected to be delayed if Congress does not open the federal government and resume funding by Nov. 1.

Multiple states are suing the Trump administration over the suspension of SNAP benefits and a few have said they plan to bridge the gap for their citizens requiring SNAP benefits. But Idaho plans to go ahead with plans to pause benefits, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

More than 42 million Americans—130,000 of them, Idahoans—rely on food stamps. Currently, 410 participants are enrolled in the SNAP program in Blaine County, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Because Blaine County’s cost of living is so high, many working families earn just enough to exceed the income limits for SNAP, even though their paychecks don’t come close to covering local housing and grocery costs. As a result, only a small fraction of Blaine County residents who could benefit from SNAP actually qualify for it, said Kristin McMahon, spokesperson for The Hunger Coalition.

The SNAP program primarily supports seniors on a fixed income, single parents, people with disabilities and young people from food-insecure households who are working to get a leg up.

Those who relied on SNAP to supplement their grocery bills will likely turn to The Hunger Coalition for support, either visiting for the first time or needing a food box more frequently, McMahon said.

Additionally, there may be an increased demand for food assistance from federal employees and their families who are not getting paid during the 31-day government shutdown. Federal civilian employees missed their first full paycheck on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Benefits for the Woman, Infants & Children (WIC) program and school meals are not affected by Idaho’s pause for SNAP, according to Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

But The Hunger Coalition expects it will need to purchase 43 percent more food over the holidays this year than last year because of the government shutdown.

The Hunger Coalition served 3,684 people in September. And it plans to distribute holiday foods throughout November, rather than just once as in the past, to ensure everyone in Blaine County can have a happy Thanksgiving, said Jane Lopez, community organizing manager for The Hunger Coalition.

“If you or your family have been impacted by the shutdown, we are here for you,” she added.

Naomi Spence, executive director for The Hunger Coalition, echoed Lopez’s admonition for people in need to reach out, noting that The Hunger Coalition grows and sources the best possible food it can.

“The shutdown compounds an already difficult time for our community,” she said. “On the heels of slack season, the holidays bring additional costs and the pressure to provide a happy holiday for your family.”

Food distributions are available between 3 and 6:30 p.m. Mondays and 1 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Bloom Community Food Center at 110 Honeysuckle St., in Bellevue. Clients can choose the foods they wish to pick up ahead of time via The Hunger Coalition’s SmartChoice online shopping.

Want to access food or make a donation? Visit https://www.thehungercoalition.org/.