City Shares Local Resources and Information Amid Federal SNAP Funding Uncertainty

The City of Evansville is working alongside the Evansville-Vanderburgh Commission on Food Security to closely monitor the ongoing federal budget impasse, which could temporarily interrupt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning next tomorrow. While the situation remains fluid, we know that even a short lapse in SNAP payments could have a significant impact on families throughout our community.

To help residents prepare, the City has gathered information about local food pantries, community meal programs, and other food-assistance resources available in the Evansville area. We’ve also included guidance for how neighbors and organizations can help, whether through donations, volunteering, or outreach.

“Our city has always shown up for one another in times of need,” said Mayor Stephanie Terry. “If SNAP benefits are disrupted, we want residents to know where they can turn for help right away—and how others can step up to support them.”

Local Impact

Based on available data, a lapse in SNAP benefits would affect:

• • Approximately 9,500 households in Vanderburgh County
  • Approximately 15,600 individuals (or roughly 13% of the population) in Vanderburgh County
  • Approximately $3.7 million in food assistance per month

This disruption would not only strain family budgets and create food insecurity for those affected; it also would ripple through the entire economy, affecting grocery stores, food pantries, and small businesses.

What the City of Evansville is Doing

Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry this morning requested that the Evansville City Council allocate $500,000 to local food relief efforts. Funding would be a combination of federal CDBG funds, which would be approved by the Board of Public Works, and interest from the American Rescue Plan Act, which would be approved by City Council.

Given the financial strain that any interruption of SNAP benefits will cause many families, Mayor Terry also has asked the Evansville Water Sewer Utility to temporarily suspend any residential shutoff orders and late fees. This request must be approved by the Evansville Water Sewer Utility Board of Directors.

“Families across Evansville are being hit with financial strain from several directions right now,” Mayor Terry said. “At at a time when so many are struggling to make ends meet, we should be doing everything we can – from offering financial aid to prop up food support, to removing the fear that water will stop flowing into their homes if they can’t pay the bill – to help support our residents and their families.

“At the same time, I would ask residents who are in a position to help: please do so, in whatever way you are able.”

What the Commission on Food Security is Doing

The City of Evansville’s Commission on Food Security has activated the Readiness Plan. The Readiness Plan is a 7 Step Plan that will ensure that the over 9,000 Families that will not receive their Snap Benefits will have the support that they need.

The 7 Steps are:

Step 1:  Update the Official Food Program List with all available resources (see below). The list will include traditional and non traditional Food Programs as well as ways citizens can volunteers and assist during this time.

Step 2: Start a SNAP Relief Fund to focus donations. Cash donations assist food programs more because food programs can turn your monetary donations into more meals with their purchasing power, they can focus on items that are need or low in their inventory, they can purchase the food that they are able to store,  that is fresh, that people want and eliminating food waste and food programs can deliver and provide food in fast effective ways.

Tri-State Food Bank & Feed Evansville will have the SNAP Relief Link on their Website.

Step 3: Find out where the Vanderburgh Count Homes that are enrolled in SNAP reside.

The commission on food security has received these data and are aware of the neighborhoods that will be affected.

Step 4: Contact Pantries and Food Programs in the heavy SNAP-Enrolled areas. Members of the Food Commission are reaching out these pantries to identify their needs and inform them of the possible increase in clients. The Commission also is providing resources for those programs to assist with the increase.  The Commission is working with other food programs to pivot their programs and or schedules to focus on the neighborhoods that will be hit harder by the lack of SNAP funds.

Step 5: Marketing the food programs, updating as we go, and making sure the public is aware of the plans, programs and resources available. During this time it is also important for our community to understand that food programs are for all families that have a food access need. Families have food access needs for different reasons and for different lengths of time.

Step 6: Increase the amount of free little pantries in the area. Feed Evanville will be working with volunteers to install 15 Free Little Pantries this month.

Step 7: Set up a grocery store for SNAP-Enrolled homes. Feed Evansville will be hosting a pop-up grocery store on Saturday, Nov 8^th 11am -2pm at the CK Newsome Community Kitchen. Families that present their EBT Card will be able to enter and select from dry good, dairy, meat, and fresh produce  options.

Step 8: Inform Elected officials on facts and effects of situation. The commission will continue to keep local, state and federal elected officials informed of the effects and need of the situation, and to provide information and facts.

Step 9:  Organize city wide nonperishable food drives

Dates and locations TBD

What You Can Do

Available Services

Food Pantries

Soup Kitchens

Free Little Pantry Locations

Other Food Programs

The Gathering Church Shopping Experience                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    121 Bob Jones Way

9:30am-12:00pm

November 22nd  & December 20th

Masiha Mobile/Emergency Food Pantry Locations

• Monday- Friday: ECHO Clinic, 401 John St  (Food Bags for pick up)
• Wed 2:30-3:00pm:  ECHO Clinic Mulberry
• Saturday 10:00-11:00: 4233 Medwell Dr., Newburgh, IN
• Sunday 1:00-1:30pm: 1301 Mills Ave., Boonville, IN
• Sunday 1:30-2:00pm: Governor Boon Sq Apartments, 1225 Rockport Rd., Boonville, IN

Neighborhood Food Market  Discounted Groceries and Free Lunches  

Every Saturday 12-2pm