Center Township Trustee Jesse Harper announced he is taking proactive steps to help alleviate the burden of low-income residents poised to lose their federal food assistance Saturday due to the government shutdown.
Harper said he has offered to help local food banks and pantries, as well recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, who are not township clients.
"There are many families in Center Township who receive SNAP benefits that have never applied for assistance through the trustee’s office," Harper said. "This is because many of the individuals receiving SNAP benefits have jobs and are working. They have been able to maintain their rent, utilities, insurance, all with the extra help from the federal program to put food on the table."
Harper intends to introduce a streamlined application process for those without means to purchase food.
"Many of these people my office is unfamiliar with because they have not previously needed our help," he said. "We are going to require proof of residency and being enrolled in the SNAP program, a short one-page application, and we will help bridge the gap during the federal shutdown and lack of funds."
Harper said he has also reached out to his fellow trustees and food bank directors in the hopes of scheduling a weekly Zoom meeting to discuss the need and ways in which all parties can work together to help families get through this period.
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