Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced that the state will provide interim support for food banks and pantries if Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits end on November 1, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is holding twice-weekly virtual meetings with the state’s six regional food banks and other partners to assess needs in anticipation of increased demand. These organizations have identified staffing, distribution, and food inventory as their primary concerns.
Governor Reynolds has directed HHS and Volunteer Iowa to recruit volunteers to help food assistance operations across communities. The Iowa National Guard has also been ordered to prepare for active duty, ready to assist with statewide food distribution missions as it did during the pandemic.
To address concerns about food inventory, Governor Reynolds instructed HHS to use existing state funds to match all cash donations made to Iowa’s six regional food banks up to $1 million. This program will begin on Monday, November 3, if SNAP benefits are not funded in November because of the shutdown. The six regional food banks serve about 1,500 local agencies across all 99 counties in Iowa. Additional details about the donation matching program will be released soon.
“Government plays an important role in supporting its citizens, but we each have a personal responsibility to care for the people in our communities, especially those in need,” said Governor Reynolds. “That’s why the state will match up to $1 million in contributions made by Iowans for regional food banks across our state. Together, we can make an even bigger difference for our neighbors who need help during this time.”
Several private sector organizations have also contributed support during the shutdown. Each of Iowa’s three Medicaid managed care organizations—Iowa Total Care, Molina Healthcare of Iowa, and Wellpoint Iowa—has pledged $100,000 toward supporting state food banks. Grocery retailer Hy-Vee donated $100,000 regionally, while Fareway and the Iowa Pork Producers Association partnered to donate ground pork valued at $20,000 statewide.
“It’s important to help Iowans in need at this time, but we can’t ignore that U.S. Senate Democrats are refusing to do their part to care for the Americans they were elected to serve. In just four weeks, they’ve voted 13 times to keep the federal government shut down; compared to the four years during the Biden Administration when Republicans voted 13 times to keep government open and do the right thing for American families, workers, and military servicemembers. It’s time for Congress to do its job, end the shutdown, and move our country forward,” said Governor Reynolds.
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