YCAP says they are ready for the “SNAP GAP”
McMinnville, Oregon, February 15, 2019 – In anticipation of the upcoming “SNAP gap,” YCAP has secured extra food resources for distribution to local pantries and meal sites as needed. The “SNAP gap” is the result of the February SNAP benefits being issued early on January 18 due to the federal government shutdown. Data from DHS shows that as of the beginning of February, almost half of the February SNAP benefits have already been spent. As a result, YCAP is anticipating a “SNAP gap” during the last two weeks of February as benefits run out, which may cause an increased need for food assistance at local partner pantries and meal sites. In a normal month, YCAP provides food to 15,000 people in Yamhill County through our partner agencies.
DHS is doing what it can to minimize the gap by releasing March benefits for all SNAP recipients on March 1st rather than spreading the release over the first 9 days of the month as is typical; however, that is still six weeks instead of the usual four weeks between distributions.
YCAP and Oregon Food Bank are prepared to support local food pantries and meal sites needs during this time and has secured extra food to help those whose SNAP benefits may run out before March 1st. Families and individuals impacted by this “SNAP gap” are encouraged to visit http://yamhillcap.org/food to see a list of Yamhill County community meal sites and food pantries that can help, or they can visit Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder tool www.oregonfoodbank.org/findfood. This easy to use and mobile-friendly database provides users with the location and hours of meal sites and food sites across the state of Oregon and Clark County, Washington.
The YCAP Regional Food Bank and the Oregon Food Bank Network are committed to doing all that we can to support and provide assistance to people impacted by the “SNAP gap.” In fact, a large order being delivered next week contains 1,110 pounds of cheese, a protein we do not often receive at the Food Bank. The timing seems rather serendipitous given that February is when we celebrate all things cheesy with The Melt Down!
To help the YCAP Regional Food Bank have the resources it needs to be there during the SNAP gap and all year long, please consider making a donation to the Food Bank at http://yamhillcap.org or visit one of the participating restaurants in February and order a Melt Down sandwich!
The Yamhill Community Action Partnership (YCAP) was founded in 1980 as part of a nationwide network of social service agencies designed to help improve the lives of low-income people and strengthen communities. YCAP’s mission is to advocate for and assist persons toward self-sufficiency. We provide assistance to the residents of Yamhill County in four primary service categories: Client Services and Housing, Energy Services, the Regional Food Bank, and Youth Services.
