On Saturday, the money for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ran out, suspending the benefits that more than 1,000 Belmont residents rely on.
On Monday, under orders from two federal judges, the Trump administration announced the program would be partially funded, with recipients receiving about half of their usual amount. How long it will take to get the money to the recipients is unclear, but estimates run from a couple of weeks to—in some states—months, before the money is available.
It’s all part of the ongoing government shutdown, which on Tuesday became the longest shutdown in United States history. On one side, the Democrats have refused to OK a new spending package without first negotiating an extension to health insurance tax incentives. The Republicans have refused to negotiate on the extensions, insisting the government be funded, then talks can begin.
As the news broke about the partial funding of SNAP benefits, a small group of people gathered on the second floor of the Beech Street Center, trying to coordinate charitable efforts to mitigate the impact of the benefit cuts.
“It’s more than just SNAP,” said Farmers Market Chair Hal Shubin. “But funding for housing, heating, and mental health services is also being cut.”
The group included representatives from Belmont Helps, the Woman’s Club, the Belmont Food Pantry, the Health Department and the senior center.
The group was convened by Director of Community Services Brandon Fitts. Part of his role is overseeing the senior center, and he said he’s seen a sharp uptick in the number of people emailing, looking for some type of assistance.
“There are various pockets in our town that are doing great things,” Fitts said. “We didn’t want to duplicate efforts.”
The need is very real, Fitts said. The senior center now provides about 70 lunches a day to area seniors. The Food Pantry sees two to four new sign-ups each month. The typical summer slowdown didn’t happen this year, said Pantry Director Patty Mihelich.
All the organizations represented provide some charitable contribution. Amy Kirsch, with Belmont Helps, said her group works on connecting people to ongoing services and grocery cards during transitions, among other things. The Woman’s Club runs an annual clothing drive, among other efforts, according to President Wendy Murphy.
There wasn’t a solution to the current crisis, but the group will start with a food drive, collecting monetary donations for the pantry and Belmont Helps, Fitts said. They will also continue to promote the lunches at the senior center.
In the long term, they will be hosting a holiday clothing drive and continue to seek financial donations to alleviate food insecurity in Belmont. There will likely be a collection point at Turn on the Town, the holiday celebration in early December.
The group will also put together resource lists, which will be made available through the food pantry.
Click here to make monetary donations to the food pantry, monetary donations to Belmont Helps can be made here.
