PORT HURON, MI — Nearly 200 cars lined up outside the YMCA of the Blue Water Area Monday, Nov. 3, where about 50 volunteers stood ready in the rain to distribute food.
Many of those waiting in line said they were uncertain if their food benefits, particularly food stamps, would be available amid a federal government shutdown that threatens to pause the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.
An estimated 44,000 pounds of food were dropped off at the YMCA.
Josh Chapman, president and CEO of the YMCA, and Marika Beecherl, the YMCA’s food program senior director, were on scene directing efforts to supply food to an estimated 170 vehicles. Each driver was asked how many families they were picking up for and were given an appropriate amount.
Monday’s emergency food distribution was funded by the city of Port Huron with money from the city’s Emergency Management Fund and anonymous donors. City Manager James Freed said the city has given about $10,000 to the YMCA of the Blue Water Area to help with food drives, as well as $15,000 to Mid-City Nutrition to fund 5,000 meals.
“People are scared,” Freed said. “This is about human dignity. These people are not unemployed, they’re not sitting around doing nothing, they just need some extra help.”
Krysta Dubs, a mother of three in Port Huron, said her partner works a full-time job, but the family still receives about $480 in food stamps each month. With the fate of that support in limbo, she said she’s been going to the YMCA and local food pantries for assistance.
“With everything going on and not knowing if I’ll be able to get my food benefits to feed my kids, it’s scary,” Dubs said. “I shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they’ll have food to eat at the end of the week.”
During the federal government shutdown, President Donald Trump indicated he would not use emergency funds to pay for the food stamps that 42 million Americans use to help cover their food bills. On Friday, however, two separate federal court rulings came down ordering the administration to fund the SNAP program during the shutdown.
On Monday, the Trump administration said it plans to distribute partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November. It’s not certain what partial benefits mean, or how far they’ll go.
Dubs said she had no indication whether her food stamp benefits would come through.
Freed said he also had no assurances on whether food stamps would be available for Port Huron residents despite the court order.
“Hungry people are waiting for the U.S. Court of Appeals to work,” Freed said.
Kathleen McNally, a retiree, said she does not use food stamps but had been increasingly going to food pantries as inflation has driven food prices up. McNally said she was a lifelong Republican but that she no longer supported the party, saying Republicans in the U.S. Senate should cut a deal to end the shutdown.
“Whether or not they’re battling with Democrats or battling with Republicans is beside the point. You don’t starve the poor,” McNally said.
As the morning went on, Beecherl began directing volunteers to reduce the amount per family. With vehicles lined up as far as the eye could see, it was a necessary step to make sure there would be something left for whoever showed up last.
In her years directing the YMCA’s food program, Beecherl said she had never seen so much demand, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, she said she’s never seen so many volunteers. Monday saw twice as many people helping to hand out food as is typical.
I’m grateful to see so many members of the community coming together,” Beecherl said. “We’re here to support the community and to help in times of need.”
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Large crowd turns out for Port Huron food distribution at YMCA to fill SNAP gap
Reporting by Johnathan Hogan, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
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