T-R FILE PHOTO The Emergency Food Box is located at 107 N. 1st St. in Marshalltown.

People and organizations in Marshalltown are looking with apprehension to Saturday, as that is the day when Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cards will no longer be active.

On Monday, the United States Department of Agriculture, which runs SNAP, announced the money necessary to keep the food stamp program going.

“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” a banner at the top of the website states. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued on Nov. 1.”

The banner also states Senate Democrats have voted 12 times to not fund the program. As of yesterday, the Democrats in the Senate have voted 13 times to not reopen the federal government, which has been shut down for 29 days. Thousands of federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay and airports across the country are experiencing flight delays due to the lack of employees.

The reason for the Democrat barrier is that they want Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies to be extended, preventing millions of Americans’ premiums from rising significantly. Open enrollment for the ACA also begins on Saturday.

On Saturday, 3,769 Marshall County households are facing the possibility of not receiving SNAP benefits, which provides an average of $352.26 per month to purchase food. Food banks in Iowa are already expecting an increase in demand.

The Marshalltown Emergency Food Box has already been experiencing an increase in demand. Cindy Staron, Emergency Food Box co-chair of operations, said numbers have increased to 600 families, or 2,000 people being served each month.

“It is hard to predict the impact it will have this coming month when families are not receiving their SNAP benefits,” she said. “We do anticipate the numbers will increase, maybe significantly. Families who qualify for SNAP benefits automatically qualify for service at the Emergency Food Box. A family of four might receive $200 to $250 in SNAP dollars each month. That’s a significant amount of money for any family at the grocery store.”

The only thing the Food Box staff will be able to do is the best they can with what is available.

“We will pray that those who can will support us financially and with their food donations,” Staron said. “We are aware that the food choices available from the Food Bank of Iowa will be impacted during this time as well. They will not be able to order any of the USDA foods that usually make up a large percentage of that shopping list. We will need to stock those everyday items with purchases from our local area.”

MICA

Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) Resource Development and Communications Coordinator Abra Dougherty said the shutdown has caused uncertainty for staff and clients.

“The potential loss of SNAP benefits will have a devastating impact on the individuals and families we serve, especially our low-income households, seniors on fixed incomes and veterans who already struggle to make ends meet,” she said. “SNAP provides a critical safety net that helps people put food on the table with dignity and consistency. If SNAP benefits are reduced or eliminated, we are deeply concerned that there will not be enough food available to meet the growing demand.”

While the agency does not currently track SNAP benefits in the data system, Dougherty estimates that many of the client families qualify or are enrolled in SNAP. MICA operates three food pantries in Grinnell, Ames and Iowa Falls and are preparing for an increase in need in those counties. Fortunately as of yesterday, all of MICA’s services were operating normally.

“Families who are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits are encouraged to look into our programs such as WIC and LIHEAP,” she said.

WIC (Women, Infants and Children), which is a federal food program for pregnant women and children through age 5, is still available. Dougherty said households with an income level of less than 200 percent of the poverty line can apply for LIHEAP, which is a one-time payment toward a heat vendor, and prevents heat from being shut off during the Nov. 1 to April 1 moratorium. “While these services will not fill the gap of the loss of SNAP benefits, they can help minimize the gaps and help families meet all of their basic needs,” she said.

Dougherty said families facing the loss of SNAP are encouraged to apply for MICA services.

“Our staff can also help to provide referrals to other resources to help meet their needs,” she said. “The Emergency Food Box and Salvation Army are great options for families to receive non-perishable food items, as well as the House of Compassion which provides evening meals. There are also several little food pantries located around town for families to access.”

As unfortunate as the situation is, this is not the first time MICA has had to deal with a government shutdown, as the nonprofit has been in operation for 60 years. However, it is one of the longest. Dougherty said MICA and the nationwide community action network are working to provide services in the best way possible during this time of uncertainty.

For Marshall County families who want to help and are not facing the uncertainty, Dougherty suggested donating funds, food or time to agencies which provide food assistance, such as the Emergency Food Box and the Salvation Army.

Staron said the Emergency Food Box has been fortunate to be a part of a community which continuously shows compassion for those in need and struggling with food insecurity.

“Your donations during the coming month, and as in the past, will once again help us provide food for the families impacted at this time,” she said.

Contacting members of Congress, specifically senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), to share stories of the shutdown impact and urging them to reach a compromise is another way Dougherty said community members can help.

While some Marshall County families face difficult times with the looming SNAP loss, Dougherty assured them that MICA is available.

“MICA is here, and is still serving families,” she said. “Anyone who finds themselves in need, is encouraged to reach out to us and we will help as much as possible.”

Staron hopes the standoff between the political parties can end quickly and the shutdown brought to a close.

“It’s hard to watch individuals and families have to struggle with basic needs such as food, job security or how to pay for medical care while we wait for those in Washington to come to a reasonable agreement,” she said.

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.