RAPID CITY, SD — At the start of this month, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), the largest anti-hunger initiative in the United States lost funding due to ongoing government shutdown. As of November 3rd, court rulings have allowed SNAP to remain partially functional, however this still comes as a national first, as even within previous shutdowns contingency funding has allowed SNAP to remain fully functional in serving its 41.7 million beneficiaries, 80% of which feed families with children.
At home in South Dakota, SNAP benefits approximately 47,000 individuals (8.1% of the state) and is essential to maintaining the health and livelihood of individuals who would otherwise be under economic stress. Under this dire circumstance several organizations have taken it upon themselves to attempt to ease the significant burden imposed by the reduced functionality of SNAP.
This morning at the Pennington County Commissioners’ meeting, Director of the Pennington County Human Services Department Barry Tice announced a program which would utilize $100,000 provided by the John T. Vucrurevich Foundation to provide rent assistance to affected families within the Pennington County Area.
In addition to this, the Breadroot Co-Op and Timmon’s Market are running a special drive which allows patrons to purchase donation vouchers of $10 or $20, and which will allow patrons the opportunity to purchase Helping Hands Food Boxes for $12.99/each, which will be distributed at no cost to those in need. In addition to this, Feeding South Dakota stands as a beacon during this time of hardship, and which is always accepting donations and volunteers for helping those at nutritional risk this thanksgiving season.
While it must be noted that these efforts do not serve to replace the significant loss that the stability which SNAP normally provides, no food bank can be close enough to serve everyone and no charity can be continuous enough, any effort toward the true good which seeking to support those in need demonstrates should be commended and supported.
