Gabe Stark
The Trenton Telegraph

As the future of federal SNAP (food stamp) benefits hangs in the balance, Grundy County officials and local organizations convened a meeting to coordinate their response to an anticipated increase in food insecurity. The gathering, led by Mayor Jackie Soptic and joined by Chris Hoffman, president of the local food pantry, drew a large cross-section of over fifty community leaders, volunteers, service providers and invested locals.

The meeting was prompted by news that the SNAP program is set to halt after midnight on November 1, unless federal action intervenes. While state officials are reallocating funds to support food banks and senior services, local leaders expressed concern that even if SNAP is restored, delays and backlogs could leave vulnerable families without assistance for weeks.

Grundy County currently has 522 households and 1092 people receiving SNAP benefits with the average person receiving $168.98 and the total amount of money being issued to people in Grundy County being $184,521. If SNAP benefits are not resumed their are concerns that people who normally relied on food stamps to supplement their food needs may be left going hungry.

In response, the community is preparing to bolster its safety net. The Grundy County Food Pantry, which currently serves about 250 households monthly, expects a significant uptick in demand. The pantry, staffed entirely by volunteers, is supplied through a complex network of partnerships with Second Harvest (the regional food bank), local groceries, and donors. Volunteers emphasized the importance of cash donations, which enable bulk purchasing of needed items, and asked that food donations be checked for expiration dates and avoid glass containers.

The food pantry is currently planning to have its next monthly drive through commodity day from 9 to 3 pm Thursday November 20 and then later that day at 5:30 to 6:30 pm.

If your not signed up for the food pantry and would like to, they require income verification of some form as well as a copy of a drivers license or picture ID of the person who the account will be under, as well as the copies of the social security cards for each person that will be included and a piece of mail proving that your family lives in Grundy County.

Additionally, the Food Pantry does provide emergency food services for anyone who needs them. To access this service you need to call the Trenton Police department who then gets in contact with the Food Pantry. That number is 660-359-5557.

The meeting also highlighted the critical role of other programs, such as the Bright Futures Food Pals, which serves up to 150 schoolchildren with monthly supplemental food bags, and the WIC program, which will continue at least through November. Representatives from local churches, schools, and agencies described a patchwork of additional resources, emergency food numbers, and meal programs for seniors.

Blessing Boxes were a resource discussed for short term needs. Blessing Boxes can be found around Trenton including one at West 12th Street and Gilmore, 1077 Oklahoma Avenue, and First Baptist Church. The boxes are free for anyone to take from or to donate food to, and are meant to provide food for those who are in need. Items such as rice, beans, pop tarts, peanut butter and other staples are often found in the boxes and are a resource for anyone who needs it.

After the meeting several churches discussed making meal packages to keep blessing boxes filled, with Shelburne Baptist Church planning to add a new blessing box at American Family Insurance, on 9th street.

Attendees discussed the importance of communicating available resources, suggesting the creation of flyers, improved use of social media, and a coordinated effort to disseminate information to those in need and those wishing to help. Mike Bragg agreed to create a Facebook page for the food pantry which can now be found by looking up “Grundy County Food Pantry” on Facebook, and has information about their services and upcoming events.

As the holiday season approaches, service providers voiced particular concern for children and seniors, groups especially vulnerable to disruptions in food assistance. The North 65 Senior Center, facing its own funding cuts, reaffirmed its commitment to continue congregate and deliver home meals despite uncertainty.

The meeting concluded with a strong sense of community resolve. As one participant noted, Grundy County is fortunate to have an established network of organizations and volunteers ready to respond. While challenges remain, the collective action displayed at the meeting underscored a deep commitment to ensuring no one in the county goes hungry during this period of uncertainty.