KENT, Conn.—Kent may be unusual among Connecticut towns in that its Social Services director, Samantha Hasenflue, is confident of her ability to help residents who will lose SNAP benefits Saturday, Nov. 1, as a result of the federal government shutdown.
SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as “food stamps,” is the largest anti-hunger program in the United States, providing monthly funds to help low-income individuals and families to buy groceries. It was to be suspended Saturday because the Department of Agriculture, which administers the funds, reportedly does not have enough money in its coffers to make the payments.
But hours before the deadline two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds to provide at least partial food stamp benefits to tens of millions of Americans in November. President Donald Trump said Friday evening that the administration’s lawyers will ask the courts how it can legally fund the benefits as quickly as possible.
But, he said, fund will be delayed while the states distribute the funds. it remains unclear whether recipients will receive their full benefits or a smaller amount. Initially, the cards issued to recipients were not be reloaded in November if the shutdown continues but those already enrolled could use any remaining funds from previous months.
The state government and area food banks have been bolstering their efforts to provide aid to needy people in anticipation of the shortfall. Governor Ned Lamont has announced $3 million in emergency funding for Connecticut Foodshare to expand its capacity to help those in need, according to the state website.
“People are worried and questioning how long [it] will be,” said Hasenflue. “Many people were already struggling to make ends meet. But, so far, I haven’t seen too much change at the food bank.”
She does anticipate an increase in November because there are a number of households in Kent that receive food stamps that don’t usually use the food bank.
Kent is already stepping up to the plate. “I’ve seen an increase in donations from community members, so we are in a good spot,” she said. “Kent School just did a food drive for us, and we have received donations from businesses.”
The Kent Community Fund, which gives the Social Services Department a regular stipend to help in shopping for foodstuffs, “is ready to go to help us,” she added.
In addition, 45 on Main, which will host a Halloween costume party tonight, Friday, Oct. 31, is encouraging donations to benefit the food bank. Celebrity costume judges Rob and Sherri Moon Zombie have pledged to match the amount raised.
Hasenflue obtains food through Connecticut Foodshare and TEFAP Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), both governmental programs that supply food banks free of charge. Privately donated funds are used to purchase items such as meat and dairy products locally.
While some area food banks are bracing for increases in already high demand, Hasenflue said, “I’ve told people I am confident our doors will be open—with the potential that we might have to do a few more restrictions. I do think we will be one of few food banks that can confidently say we will be okay. But it will be nowhere near that in other towns. I live in New Milford and the food insecurity there will be tragic. SNAP assists a lot of seniors and working-class poor. It’s a really scary time, but Kent had more resources than other towns.”
At present, users of the Kent Food Bank, depending on the size of the family, can expect to get two bags of groceries each week. “If it’s a large household, we might make it three bags,” Hasenflue said. “We try to have frozen meat but limit it to two proteins a week. We try to keep meat and cheese in addition to fresh produce.”
Staples are always available and Hasenflue said that, depending on what families are comfortable in preparing, there are “heartier dishes” that can be made to stretch the allotments.
However, with the SNAP funding shutdown only hours away, Hasenflue is seeking even more support. “If people want to help, they can make financial donations through Paypal on our website,” she said. “I have a flyer that will go out and there are boxes at Davis IGA where people can leave non-perishable items.
“We also have volunteers at the food bank Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. so people can drop off food then, and on Fridays we open at 8:30 and are here until noon.”
Those in need can simply show up at the food bank between 10 a.m. and noon on Fridays, fill out a short intake form, and get assistance.
The Kent Food Bank is located at the back of the Community House, 93 North Main St., at the back of the building.
