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As of print deadline November 4, the county Health & Human Services Director was waiting to get firm numbers on the Supplemental Nutrition Aid Program’s level of funding with the word of the week being, uncertainty.  

Director Robert Benson was contacted after the courts had decided that Congressional contingency monies could indeed be directed into food programs for low income, seniors and other SNAP recipients, but he does not have any idea how much of the regular aid will be available.

Chisago County administers SNAP and has 2,390 individuals it serves in this allocation per month at an expense estimated at $360,000 monthly. SNAP here has 890 children and 1,571 adults enrolled.

The Washington County Board— anticipating disruption by the Trump administration in SNAP funds distribution, allocated $250,000 October 30 in a special session, to 10 locations in that county.

A sum of $6,250 is allocated to Scandia’s Elim Church food shelf which is the closest to Chisago County of the 10 sites.  As far as he knows, the Chisago County Board has no plans to discuss one time funding, Benson told the Press.

Also, the  county staff have organized a food collection to help bolster local non-perishable food supplies.  

The Fare for All non-profit program that schedules pop-up grocery distributions is also offering a $10 off coupon for SNAP enrollees who purchase items through the Fare for All organization.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz freed up $4 million for food shelf support when the SNAP appropriations were first announced as being completely withheld.

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