Highland County prepares for SNAP benefit delays
By Brittane Dance, MBA
Emergency Response Coordinator
Highland County Health Department
Highland County Job and Family Services, Highland County Community Action Organization, the Highland County Health Department, and the Highland County Emergency Management Agency met this week to address the local impact of recent reductions in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
About 6,000 Highland County residents (14% of our community) rely on SNAP benefits each month. That’s more than 1 out of every 10 people in our county. With the current government shutdown, many families may be struggling to put food on the table.
Here is how we can help each other:
Share Information about Food Pantries
Local food pantries exist and can help families in need. An updated list of food pantries is available at https://highlandhelps.com/core-needs/.
Donate to Food Pantries
Consider donating to a food pantry to help local families. Food pantry use is up across the nation, more than doubling since the beginning of the government shutdown. Not all food pantries operate in the same way. If you are planning to donate to a local pantry, check with them directly to see how you can help.
Support Each Other
This is a moment for Highland County to come together with kindness and purpose. We know how to take care of our community, and together, we’ll make sure that every neighbor, child, and family has enough to eat.