(Des Moines) Governor Reynolds today announced the state will provide interim support for Iowa’s food banks and pantries if the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits end as expected on Saturday, November 1 due to the federal government shutdown.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is holding two virtual meetings a week with Iowa’s six regional food banks and other food system partners to understand their needs as they prepare for increased demand. The group has identified increased staffing, distribution, and food inventory as primary needs.
In response, Governor Reynolds has directed HHS and Volunteer Iowa to recruit and deploy volunteers to support food assistance operations in communities across the state where help is needed.
The governor has also ordered the Iowa National Guard to prepare for state active duty. The Guard will be available as needed to conduct food distribution missions statewide, as it did during the pandemic.
To ensure food inventory will meet higher demand, Governor Reynolds has also directed HHS to use existing state funds to match all cash donations to Iowa’s six regional food banks up to $1 million dollars beginning Monday, November 3, if SNAP benefits are not federally funded during November due to the government shutdown. The food banks collectively serve 1,500 local partner agencies including food pantries across all 99 counties. More information about the donation match program will be provided in the coming days.
“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.”
The private sector has also stepped up to support food security for Iowans in need during the shutdown. Iowa’s three Medicaid managed care organizations – Iowa Total Care, Molina Healthcare of Iowa, and Wellpoint Iowa – have each committed to donate $100,000 to help support the state’s food banks. Hy-Vee also donated $100,000 to food banks in its regions, and Fareway and the Iowa Pork Producers Association teamed up to donate $20,000 worth of ground pork to food banks across the state.
“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.”
