As the government shutdown continues in Washington, Reynolds has directed the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to begin holding regular calls with food banks across the state. The goal is to coordinate efforts and ensure food banks are ready to respond if November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits are delayed.
SNAP provides monthly food benefits for about 131,000 Iowa households and is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to Reynolds, because SNAP is federally funded, states cannot independently continue the program if federal payments stop.
Reynolds says her administration wants to be proactive in monitoring food bank inventories and understanding their ability to meet growing demand.
Officials say local resources will play a critical role in ensuring Iowans do not go hungry in the weeks ahead. Those wishing to help can visit foodbankiowa.org for donation and volunteer information, including details about several area food pantry locations.
As the shutdown continues, Governor Reynolds says the state’s focus will remain on supporting food banks and applying lessons learned from the pandemic to ensure Iowa families have access to food assistance.
