As the federal government shutdown continues and November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are likely to go unpaid, the state of North Carolina is granting funds to help support local food banks.
Democratic Gov. Josh Stein announced Thursday the state is granting $10 million to food banks as they brace for an influx in need after the U.S. Department of Agriculture decided to fund SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown.
AmeriHealth Caritas is donating $5 million, while The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation is contributing $2.5 million to provide immediate access to funds after it previously announced a $10 million gift in June. Other donors have also come forward to help.
“With the help of generous partners, North Carolina is taking action to keep families fed,” Stein said in a press release. “Shoring up our state’s food banks will serve as a critical, but fleeting, lifeline for families in need, and I hope other North Carolina organizations will also step up in this time of need.”
Approximately 1.4 million people in North Carolina rely on SNAP benefits to afford the rising cost of groceries, including veterans, people living with disabilities, and working families with children.
Duke Energy Foundation and Bank of America each contributed $100,000. Two additional contributions of $50,000 came from Delaware North and Catawba Two Kings Casino, as well as from Nucor Steel.
UNC Health Foundation and UNC Horizons jointly gave $30,000, while The Fresh Market followed with a $25,000 donation.
The Eastern Ministerial Alliance and Smithfield Foods each contributed $20,000. AdventHealth added $19,000 to the effort, while Compare Foods donated $10,000 and Lending Tree contributed $7,500. Lastly, r4 Technologies Smart Food Foundation donated 10,000 pounds of food.
Heidi Chan, AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina Market President, said the company believes access to healthy food is fundamental to good health.
“In the wake of Hurricane Helene, our multiyear investment in MANNA’s food nutrition network demonstrates our commitment to helping ensure reliable access to nutritious food,” Chan said.
Claire Neal, CEO of MANNA FoodBank said the donation from AmeriHealth Caritas comes at a critical time.
“Our partnership will strengthen MANNA’s ability to meet the needs of our neighbors for years to come with compassion, consistency, and care,” Neal said.
President & CEO of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC Amy Beros said their hunger relief network is working tirelessly to meet the increased need, noting that thousands of volunteers and hundreds of partner pantries are stepping up to help.
“We know emergency food programs can’t replace the impact of federal nutrition assistance. SNAP remains the most effective tool in fighting hunger and poverty nationwide,” Beros said. “We need swift action to ensure this critical support continues uninterrupted for those who need it most. Every day of delay means more empty plates and tougher choices for our neighbors.”
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging people who depend on SNAP and other nutrition benefits to continue to apply and to submit renewal paperwork on time.
