SNAP benefits could be suspended for the first time in the food aid program's history because of the government shutdown. This could leave many without the much needed food and resources.
SNAP could be suspended starting Saturday if the shutdown continues or if a judge doesn't rule that emergency funds must be used.
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For every one meal a food bank provides to families, SNAP provides nine.
What to do if you have SNAP or other nutrition benefits
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is telling those who rely on SNAP or other nutrition benefits to:
- Continue to apply and renew benefits.
- Submit paperwork on time to county department of social services
- Offices will be processing applications to prevent a backlog when funding is restored
- Check your balance and use those funds.
If you need food in North Carolina, here are some resources
NCDHHS is encouraging those in immediate need for food resources to call 2-1-1 to be connected with local resources. On the 211 website, you can type what you need (shelter, health care, food, etc.) and what city you need it to be connected with resources.
Food banks
- Food Bank of the Albemarle (Northeast NC)
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast NC (Fayetteville and Southeast NC)
- Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (Greater Triangle Region through Coastal NC)
- Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (Greater Triangle Region)
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina (Greater Charlotte area)
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC (Greater Triad area and Northwest)
- MANNA Food Bank (Western NC)
- Raleigh Dream Center is hosting a grocery giveaway Nov. 3, 5, and 7 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., while supplies last.
- The Salvation Army of Wake and Lee Counties
- Urban Ministries of Wake County - Operates a shelter, food pantry and a clinic/pharmacy
- Urban Ministries of Durham - Operates a shelter, community cafe, food pantry and clothing closet.
Companies offering help to SNAP recipients
Instacart - Offering customers who receive SNAP benefits 50% on their next grocery order to ease strain as the government prepares to cut off food aid payments. Instacart said any customer who placed an order in October using a SNAP/EBT card will be eligible for the discount, which will be available even if the government makes the payments as planned on Nov. 1. Instacart said it is also expanding the number of food banks it supports through online food drives from 100 to 300.
Gopuff - This Philadelphia-based company provides fast delivery of food and other convenience items. It will provide $50 worth of free groceries in November to customers who have a SNAP/EBT card connected to their Gopuff account. Gopuff said it will spend up to $10 million on the program.
DoorDash - This delivery company based in San Francisco will waive service and delivery fees for an estimated 300,000 orders for SNAP recipients in November. DoorDash said Friday that 25 grocery companies, including Sprouts, Dollar General, Giant Eagle, Stop & Shop, Winn-Dixie, BJ's Wholesale Club and ShopRite, are partnering with DoorDash to cut those fees.
Google's Find Food Support
Google launched this effort to help those in need during the holidays. You can go on this page to donate or find food support.
How to help
Fill the box at Apex Town Hall - Donate food for those in need.
Town of Garner Food Drive - Through Nov. 26, drop off donations at Town Hall, the Fire Administration Building, the Police Department, Garner Recreation Center, Garner Senior Center and the Public Works Complex. They are asking for nonperishable items like canned fruits and vegetables, beans, cereal, tuna, pasta, rice, peanut butter and more.
Donation to the Wake County Public Schools Angel Fund
If your child has money on their meal account, you can donate it by just completing a form. You can designate the funds to go to:
- Helping other students who do not have sufficient funds for their meal.
- Child Nutrition Services to support school meal programming for students.
- Make a single or recurring donation using the auto-withdrawal feature on MySchoolBucks.com.
If you want to donate to the Districtwide Angel Fund to help students who don't have enough money to purchase their school meals you can just complete this form to send with a donation.
Here's a list of how to help this holiday season:
Durham Rescue Mission: To help feed more families, donations of turkeys or hams are usually needed.
Raleigh Rescue Mission: Volunteer to help with a Turkey Meal Takeout event this year.
Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC: Online donations are usually doubled this time of year through Dec. 31.