Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were set to dry up Saturday amid the second-longest government shutdown on record. Several nonprofits and social services across La Plata County said they were preparing for an increase in demand for basic needs as food stamps possibly become unattainable.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the program’s lapse earlier this month in a notice on the USDA website, which blamed Senate Democrats for the government shutdown and related pause of SNAP benefits.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the notice said.
SNAP is a necessary resource for many Americans, including thousands who live in La Plata County. An estimated 5,069 people and 2,866 households countywide will be deprived of SNAP benefits in the month of November if the freeze goes through, said Martha Johnson, director of human services for La Plata County.
A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to continue paying for food stamps during the shutdown, but it was not immediately clear if or how long that ruling will stand.
Rachel Landis, executive director of local nonprofit The Good Food Collective, said even if the ruling stands it will take several days for the new round of funding to become available.
She said SNAP benefits are essential for many residents struggling to put food on the table.
More than 80% of families receiving food stamps spend the entire sum within the first two weeks of the month, Landis said. That means emergency food assistance providers are going to be on the front lines for assisting households in need.
“They are certainly preparing; they’re doing their darndest,” she said.
Though no new funds will be distributed, Landis said remaining balances on SNAP cards are likely to be accepted through the shutdown.
Marissa Hunt, co-executive director of finance and engagement at Manna soup kitchen, said Manna and other community partners are well aware of the impact the SNAP lapse will have on community members. Manna wants everyone to feel able to seek the resources they need, she said.
“It’s easy to feel so powerless when these supports and benefits are frozen unexpectedly,” she said. “But our low barrier model really aims to fill the gap when things like this happen. ... Everyone is welcome at Manna.”
Durango Food Bank Executive Director Sarah Smith said the food bank is expecting an unprecedented spike in demand – but that the food bank and other resources in the county have joined forces to support the community during the shutdown.
“We’re here and we’ve got (people) covered,” she said. “There is no reason that anyone in this community should be worried about going hungry. There are so many resources, and we’re all working collaboratively as local nonprofits and organizations. We’re trying to be really purposeful and (are) making sure that we’re meeting the need where it’s at, and are working on bringing adequate reserve to get us (through) – however long this takes.”
To help ensure everyone – especially low- and no-income residents – has access to vital information about food assistance, The Durango Herald is making this story available to all readers, including nonsubscribers.
epond@durangoherald.com
How can I help?
Several Durango-area food resource centers emphasized the importance of shopping local if SNAP benefits lapse. Local grocery stores collect a large portion of their income from SNAP shoppers and are expecting a decline in business in November if the freeze takes effect.
Durango Food Bank emphasized funding donations, rather than food donations, being most needed at this time.
Donations can be made in person during operational hours, by phone at 375-2672; by mail to Durango Food Bank, PO Box 156, Durango, CO 81302; or submitted online at durangoareafoodbank.networkforgood.com/projects/126986-working-to-feed-our-neighbors-in-need
Manna soup kitchen accepts monetary and nonmonetary donations at www.mannasoupkitchen.org/donate; in person at the nonprofit’s administrative office; or by mail at Manna, PO Box 1196, Durango, CO 81302.
The Good Food Collective is working with local government, community organizations and committed volunteers to ensure those in need are fed and that La Plata County emergency food assistance relief network and small food retailers are resourced and supported. To stay up to date, find food resources, donate or learn how to help, visit the Good Food Collective’s SNAP relief page at www.goodfoodcollective.org/snap-relief
The Durango Herald and Ballantine Communications Inc. have created resource guides specific to Durango, Montezuma County and San Juan County, New Mexico, with information about free food, grocery support and SNAP benefits. To view the resource guides, visit:
- Durango Cares: durangoherald.com/durango-cares/
- Montezuma County Cares: www.the-journal.com/montezuma-county-cares/
- San Juan County Cares: www.the-journal.com/montezuma-county-cares/
Here are some of the resources available to residents seeking food assistance in La Plata County:
Durango Food Bank
Location: 194-C Bodo Drive, Suite C.
Phone: 375-2672.
Hours: 2 to 3 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to noon Thursday.
Contact the Durango Food Bank to request an appointment outside regular business hours.
Registering for an appointment ahead of time is encouraged. For more information, visit durangoareafoodbank.org/schedule-an-appointment/ or reach out by phone.
La Plata Family Centers Coalition Emergency Food Pantry
Location: 495 Florida Road.
Phone: 385-4747.
Hours: 24/7.
Manna soup kitchen
Location: 1100 Avenida del Sol.
Phone: 385-5095.
Hours: Takeout window: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Resource Center and food market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Friday, and 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Fort Lewis College Grub Hub
Location: Student Union Building, Room 178.
Phone: 247-7508.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
All community members are welcome to use the Grub Hub; student status not required.
Free and Reduced School Lunch Program
The Free and Reduced School Lunch Program, in collaboration with Manna soup kitchen, allows La Plata County families enrolled in local schools the opportunity to take home a bag of food once per week.
For more information, speak with a school counselor or visit www.cde.state.co.us/
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
WIC is a government-funded program that offers nutrition benefits for pregnant people, infants and children under 5. WIC is expected to continue through Dec. 1.
For more information, visit www.coloradowic.gov/eligibility/apply
Pine River Shares
Location: Bayfield Pine River Shares office, 658 S. East St.; Bayfield Old Middle School Gym, 110 E. South St.; Ignacio ELHI Community Center at 115 Ute St.
Phone: 884-6040
Hours: Family food bags available between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at the Old Middle School Gym in Bayfield, 110 E. South St., and from 11 a.m. to noon each second Saturday at the Ignacio ELHI Community Center at 115 Ute St.
USDA Commodities distributed 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the Bayfield Pine River Shares office at 658 S. East St.
Call office for eligibility information.
Ignacio Senior Center – Meals on Wheels
Location: 15345 Colorado Highway 172.
Phone: 563-4561.
Hours: Congregate meals served at the center noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and home-delivered meals Monday through Friday, if eligible.
$5 to $9 donations recommended but not required. Call for eligibility requirements.
Durango-La Plata Senior Center – Meals on Wheels
Location: 2424 Main Ave.
Phone: 382-6445.
Hours: Congregate meals served at the center 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and home-delivered meals throughout the week, if eligible.
$5 donations recommended but not required. Call for eligibility requirements.
Pine River Senior Center – Meals on Wheels
Location: 111 Southwest St., Bayfield.
Phone: 884-5415.
Hours: Congregate meals served noon Wednesdays and Fridays at the center and home-delivered meals throughout the week, if eligible.
Reservations must be made by phone by 9 a.m. on the day of the meal request.
$5 donations recommended but not required. Call for eligibility requirements.
Southern Ute Food Distribution Program
Location: 740 Goddard Ave., Ignacio.
Phone: 563-2530.
Hours: Call for schedule.
Monthly USDA Commodity foods available for eligible households on or near the reservation.
Apply at www.southernute-nsn.gov/tribal-services/food-distribution/
General Resources:
Colorado 211: Call 2-1-1 or (866) 760-6489, or visit www.211colorado.org.
Hunger Free Colorado Food Resource Hotline: (855) 855-4626.
