Marion County, Cherriots announce plans to support people losing SNAP benefits
Marion County is likely going to send thousands of dollars to local food pantries in response to the federal government shutdown withholding food benefits for thousands of local families.
The county announced Thursday evening that its Board of Commissioners discussed spending $100,000 per week for the next two weeks for food baskets through partnerships with pantries, including the Marion Polk Food Share.
The announcement came as the federal government shutdown is less than two days away from a Nov. 1 deadline to fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. County officials expect to make a final decision next week once it’s clear if benefits did not go out.
The discussion came from a meeting with the food share Thursday evening to consider how Marion County could “support food insecure individuals in the community,” the statement said.
“The federal government is not functioning, and I am not okay with allowing that to trickle down into our community leaving so many individuals and families without resources for the vital nutrition they need to survive,” Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell said in the county’s statement.
The money could provide around 4,500 food boxes each week to people in Marion County who qualify for SNAP benefits, the county estimated. The money will come from the county’s economic development fund.
About 38,000 Marion County families receive food benefits, with nearly $13 million paid out each month, according to state data.
Marion Polk Food Share runs 49 pantries in Marion and Polk counties, with 20 in Salem, according to its website.
“This is a sad situation all around,” said Marion County Commissioner Kevin Cameron. “I just want to say to our neighbors who may be affected by this, we’re here for you and working with our partners toward meeting our community’s needs in this difficult time.”
The county plans to decide how much funding it will send and where it will come from early next week, according to the county’s statement.
Marion County’s program providing federal food assistance for women, infants and children, known as WIC, will not see any pause or change in benefits for November, according to Marion County Health and Human Service spokeswoman Melissa Gable.
“Marion County WIC offices will remain open and will continue scheduling appointments and serving families beyond any potential federal funding delays,” Gable said in an email. “We continue to closely monitor the situation and will provide updates to Marion County WIC families as information becomes available.”
Cherriots is offering free rides to and from food banks and pantries starting Nov. 1 through the end of the government shutdown, the transit agency announced Thursday. The agency said it mirrors their free rides to warming shelters. With those rides, passengers just need to tell the driver where they’re going for a free trip.
“With many families facing uncertainty and added stress, we want to ensure that accessing food is never a barrier,” said Allan Pollock, general manager, in a statement. “Our community depends on us, and we are proud to step up for those who need support right now.”
CORRECTION: Marion County corrected its estimation of how many food supplies it could fund. This story was updated to reflect the county’s correction.
Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].
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Madeleine Moore joined Salem Reporter in 2024 and reports on a variety of topics including public safety, addiction, treatment and the criminal justice system. She came to Salem after graduating from the University of Oregon in June 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
