(Spirit Lake)– A local organization that provides food assistance to those in need is bracing for the potential impacts from any disruption in SNAP and WIC benefits stemming from the federal government shutdown. That will happen this Saturday unless some kind of a stopgap measure is approved. Angela Kofoot of the Dickinson County Hunger Coalition tells KUOO news it would impact roughly 270,000 households in Iowa…
“That’s $45 million in grocery benefits that would have helped feed Iowans and generate local commerce. It also stalls out the food supply chain.”
Kofoot says it would only put even more of a burden on food pantries…
“The need for food assistance was already at record levels due to the decrease that we’ve already experienced in SNAP benefits and the skyrocketing cost of food this year.”
As a result, Kofoot is encouraging those who can to donate or volunteer…
“To help out you can always drop off food at Upper Des Moines Opportunity in the mall in Spirit Lake or you can mail checks to the Dickinson County Hunger Coalition at P.O. Box 617 in Spirit Lake, and then our website is dickinsoncountyhunger.com. If you want to volunteer at any of the pantries, we’re certainly seeing an increased need for volunteers as well.”
Kofoot estimates about 1 in 12 people in Dickinson county rely on food assistance programs.
