MUNCIE, IN — If, as anticipated, federal food assistance is cut off beginning on Saturday, Nov. 1, Center Township Trustee Marilyn Kay Walker and her staff are prepared to help local residents in need.
“Under Indiana code, if (residents of Center Township, which includes much of the city of Muncie) receive SNAP benefits, they are not eligible to apply for a food voucher at our office,” Walker said on Thursday, Oct. 30.
However, the trustee said, “We supply food, if you’re applying for food stamps and it takes a little while, or there’s an emergency. We’re looking at this, if this happens Nov. 1, as an emergency.”
Walker said if SNAP benefits are discontinued, “It’s going to be crazy.”
But she maintained her office is ready.
“We want to be able to help people,” Walker said.
Those receiving food vouchers from her office generally make food purchases at the Walmart store in south Muncie, and a member of Walker’s staff meets them there and pays for their groceries.
“They know how much they’ve got to spend,” she said.
Walker said many local residents receiving food assistance also have jobs.
“You can’t work a minimum-wage job and survive in today’s economy,” she said.
Those receiving food vouchers from the Center Township trustee’s office must first submit an application. If approved, the amount of their voucher is based on the number of people living in the household.
Chambers’ office, at 1200 S. Mulberry St., is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Applicants for food vouchers can also apply online at https://fssabenefits.in.gov/bp/#/
Where to get help (and food)
The Center Township trustee also noted the several local food pantries and other agencies and groups working to provide resources to those in need should they lose their SNAP benefits.
They include:
Second Harvest Food Bank, food distribution on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, at Muncie Mall, at 10 a.m., and on the first Saturday of the month, also at 10 a.m. at the Second Harvest warehouse, 6621 N. Old Indiana 3.
Soup Kitchen of Muncie, 920 E. Charles St., meals 8 to 11 a.m. weekdays.
Daleville Eternal Life Church, 8104 S. Hickory Lane, food pantry on the first Monday ( 9 a.m. to noon) and second Wednesday (4 to 6 p.m.). Salem Township residents only.
Muncie Mission, 1725 S. Liberty St., food pantry 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; meals on weekdays from 12:30 to 1 p.m.
Christian Ministries, 401 E. Main St., food pantry 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Community Shepherd Pantry, 105 Main St., Gaston, food pantry 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Wes-Del residents only.
Deacon’s Pantry, 820 E. Charles St., food pantry 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Compass Church Food, 400 N. Delaware County Road 600 E., Selma, food pantry 9:30 to 11 a.m. on first Tuesday, 5:30 to 7 p.m. third Tuesday.
Albany United Methodist Church, 125 N. Broadway Ave., food pantry 4 to 7 p.m. first and third Tuesday.
Center Chapel United Methodist Church, 900 W. Royerton Road, food pantry 4 to 5:30 p.m. third Tuesday.
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 610 N. Reserve St., food pantry 1 to 1:30 p.m. fourth Tuesday. (Christian Ministries vouchers required.)
Forest Park Church, 2105 W. Memorial Drive, food pantry 2 to 5 p.m., third Thursday.
Whitely Neighborhood Pantry, 1010 E. Centennial Ave., food pantry 4 to 6 p.m. third Thursday. (Whitely residents and WCC members only.)
Ross Community Center, 1110 W. 19th St., food pantry, 3 to 5 p.m. Fridays.
Morning Star Bread Basket, 2008 S. Hoyt Ave., food pantry 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays.
Blood-N-Fire, 300 N. Madison St., food pantry 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. Fridays, meals 4 to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
Friends Food Pantry, 418 W. Adams St., food pantry 10 a.m. to noon third Saturday.
REACH, 2400 Russ St., Yorktown, food pantry 9 to 11 a.m. third Saturday. (Yorktown residents only.)
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 900 White River Blvd., food pantry open at 9 a.m. third Saturday. (Closed in December.)
‘More than a political stalemate’
According to a news release from Second Harvest Food Bank, more than 50,000 Hoosiers in Second Harvest’s service area received SNAP benefits in September.
In Delaware County, 9,373 received those benefits that month.
“This shutdown is more than a political stalemate,” said Bekah Clawson, president & CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “It’s a crisis for families who depend on SNAP to put food on the table.
“We’re seeing food insecurity already at record highs, and with benefits suspended, families are suddenly left without the most basic resources. We will do everything we can to respond, but this is a moment that requires all of us to step up.”
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Center Township trustee’s office prepares for temporary end to SNAP benefits
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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