In a significant push to combat increasing food insecurity, North Carolina's Governor Josh Stein has announced a collective effort that will pump nearly $18 million into supporting local food assistance programs. Stein's plan, unveiled on October 30, earmarks a substantial $10 million from the state to reinforce food banks. This swift action is a response to the USDA's decision to stop SNAP benefits distribution for the month of November, a move poised to leave many North Carolinian families scrambling for their next meals.
The infusion of state aid is buoyed by generous contributions from several partners, including a $5 million pledge from AmeriHealth Caritas. The healthcare provider's market president, Heidi Chan, emphasized the basic need for access to nutritious food, particularly in the aftermath of a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene. "We believe access to healthy food is fundamental to good health," Chan stated, according to a Governor's Office press release. The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation is also accelerating a $2.5 million contribution from a previous commitment of $10 million to meet urgent needs quickly.
Other significant donations to shore up food assistance include $100,000 each from the Duke Energy Foundation and Bank of America, with Delaware North and Catawba Two Kings Casino, Nucor Steel, UNC Health Foundation & UNC Horizons, The Fresh Market, Eastern Ministerial Alliance, Smithfield Foods, AdventHealth, Compare Foods, Lending Tree, and r4 Technologies Smart Food Foundation all contributing to the cause. In addition, these donations reflect a collective acknowledgment of the importance to immediately help feed the more than 1.4 million North Carolinians who rely on SNAP benefits. These benefits are especially important as for every one meal that a food bank can provide, SNAP can push forward nine.
The need for these emergency funds is clear, as Claire Neal, CEO of MANNA FoodBank, told the Governor’s Office, "This generous investment from AmeriHealth Caritas comes at a critical time." But amid these pressing times, food banks recognize they are at best a stop-gap. Amy Beros, President & CEO of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC, voiced concerns that emergency food programs cannot fully replace federal nutrition assistance, underscoring that, "SNAP remains the most effective tool in fighting hunger and poverty nationwide." Beros highlighted the importance of swift governmental action, as every delayed day translates to more people facing food insecurity.
In light of the suspension of SNAP benefits, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has issued guidance to residents, advising them to persist in applying for and renewing their SNAP benefits to prevent a backlog once funding resumes. They provide resources to check EBT card balances and urge those in immediate need to contact 2-1-1 for local food resource connections.
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