Coconino County Treasurer Sarah Benatar and other local leaders held a conference call to address the impact of the federal government shutdown, which has halted SNAP benefits for many residents. According to The Packer, about 18 percent of Coconino County residents live in poverty, and local businesses rely on more than $500,000 in SNAP transactions each year.
As per a Coconino County release, with federal food assistance on hold, food banks are facing a sharp increase in demand. Ethan Amos, CEO of the Flagstaff Family Food Center Food Bank and Kitchen, said many of those affected are working families such as nurses, social workers, and restaurant employees who already struggle to make ends meet.
To help meet community needs, Coconino County has launched a food drive accepting shelf-stable goods and grocery gift cards through Friday. Additional efforts include the Stuff the Bus event with the Flagstaff Family Food Center, Mountain Line, and the City of Flagstaff, collecting turkey and food donations on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Safeway locations. Residents are encouraged to donate directly to local food banks and pantries to support ongoing relief efforts.
