Community support for families during SNAP suspension
BY KADIE TAYLOR
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
CHAMBERS COUNTY — Many Chambers County residents will experience food insecurity in November due to the suspension of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits as a result of the federal government shutdown. Many across Chambers County are working with the community to support locals who will need additional support during the suspension of SNAP.
“I can say, it will have some adverse effect on our citizens — here in LaFayette and I’m sure Chambers County overall,” said the Mayor of LaFayette, Kenneth Vines. “I’m very concerned about single-parent families, whether it is a female or male that has custody of their kids and is trying to raise their kids and [who] depend on [SNAP]. I know quite a few families will be affected by this. I probably will talk to the council and meet with the city clerk, and see what we can do.”
Chambers County School District
The Chambers County School District is working to inform the community about programs and resources to ensure the well-being of Chambers County students and families.
“We want to reassure all families that the Child Nutrition Program will continue to operate without interruption,” said Chambers County School District Child Nutrition Program Director Adria Staton. “Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all CCSD students as scheduled. The Child Nutrition Program is working to proactively prepare and accommodate an increase in breakfast and lunch participation at all schools. We encourage any student who needs a meal to participate in our school meal programs.”
Staton said the CCSD is closely monitoring developments and will ensure consistent communication across the district website, email and social media to share verified information from agencies regarding SNAP and WIC benefits.
“We understand the anxiety this situation creates for our families,” she said. “We are compiling and sharing information on alternative food assistance resources available within our community for those who may experience a disruption in federal benefits.”
Staton also shared some key action items for families.
“One, monitor official CCSD communications: check the official CCSD website, thrillshare.com/media or chambersk12.org, regularly for the most up-to-date information and links to local resources. Two, contact local agencies: we encourage families with questions about SNAP and WIC to reach out to their local administering agencies for the latest updates on benefit status. Three, participate in school meal serving times. CCSD is a Community Eligibility Provision District — all meals are free for all students, at all schools. We are dedicated to supporting our families through this challenging time and will continue to be a source of clear, actionable information and stable nutrition for our students.”
Below is a list of resources compiled by the CCSD for those who will experience food insecurity due to the suspension of SNAP benefits and locals who want to donate to help food insecurity relief efforts in Chambers County.
• Christian Service Center, (334) 476-2605 — is located at 5342 Cusseta Road in Lanett, and open Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon ET and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET.
• Pilgrim Baptist Church, (334) 644-4363 — is located at 420 N. 12th Ave. in Lanett, and open every third Saturday of the month from 9 to 10 a.m. ET.
• Tabernacle of Praise Church International is located at 139 Church St. in Valley, and serves meals every Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. ET with food distribution every third Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon ET.
• Valley First Assembly of God, (706) 585-6990 — is located at 5307 US-29 in Valley. Call to make an appointment.
The Valley Local
The Valley Local is working with local businesses to fill donation boxes for food pantries.
“We made a post on Facebook to try and get local businesses to help collect items for the Interfaith Food Closet,” said the Valley Local Director, Sara Crutchfield. “They need items, and they have multiple pickup locations. Also, anything that the Christian Service Center needs — we’re trying to help make sure they have items as well.
Some of the donation box locations include Krave Korner, The Blue Button, Boyd’s Shirt Shop, Kenny Knox Tire and Milltown Nutrition — other locations are listed on The Valley Local - Event and Main Page Facebook.
The Interfaith Food Closet has three locations. New clients will need to bring photo identification and proof of current residency — a power bill, rental agreement or home insurance payment. Contact the Interfaith Food Closet at (334) 756-3443.
• The Valley location is located at 6313 20th Ave., Valley, and is open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET.
• The Lanett Methodist Church location is open on Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
• The West Point First Methodist location is open Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m.
Crutchfield said she wants to encourage those who are able to donate to food insecurity relief efforts, and for those who are in need of food insecurity relief to reach out for help.
“We do live in a low-income community, and there are a lot of people who live on a fixed income — so these resources are very beneficial to them, and I don’t want to see anyone go without food,” she said. “I just think it’s time for our community to step up… If you’re in need of these items, don’t feel ashamed of that — please go and use these resources, that is what this is here for. Allow your community to help you in this time of need — that’s what community is all about.”
Zēk’s 37
Zēk’s 37 is working to help support families who will be impacted by the suspension of SNAP benefits. Guardians can show their SNAP card, and Zēk’s 37 will provide a free slice of pizza once a day, for each minor in a family who is present until SNAP is funded again. Co-Owner of Zēk’s 37, Veronica Roesly, said the community support has already been enormous.
“There are several ways that the community can help,” she said. “First and foremost, they can donate at Zēk’s 37 — they would just [need to] let the baristas know that what they’re [donating] is going towards the SNAP program. They can also do it towards the Pay-It-Forward Program. Then they can also donate towards the Big Serve, which is every single Sunday — or they can choose to go on to our ordering system. If individuals want to go on to our ordering system, they can click on that, and [donations are] in $10 increments.”
Roesly said her and her husband’s passion for providing community support for those in need comes from her relationship with God.
“It’s really important to us, all my husband and I did was say, ‘Yes’ to God,” she said. “The rest of this is all Jesus. He is the one who has been the driving factor behind all of this. And all we can say is that God deserves all the glory; we don’t. All we’re doing is saying, ‘Yes,’ and we’ll be the conduit, so the Lord is opening doors. He is speaking to people’s hearts. He’s bringing them through the doors. He’s bringing them to our website to be able to help fund this and I pray that the government wakes up and, this is not long-standing — but if it is, we’re going to do everything that we can to be able to continue to give our children a slice of pizza a day until they do. I don’t know what that means, but if we fail because of the fact that we’re standing up for Jesus, then so be it. I’ll be bold enough to say that.”
