Statement for media from Oregon Food Bank in response to the government shutdown, Jan. 11

Oregon Food Bank holds people experiencing hunger at the center of all that we do. First and foremost, we want to reassure people personally impacted by the current partial government shut down that you are empowered to seek help during this time. People seeking food assistance are encouraged to visit www.oregonfoodbank.org/findfood. This easy to use and mobile-friendly database provides users with the location and hours of meal sites and food pantries across the state of Oregon and in Clark County, Washington. Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) has stated that SNAP benefits are secure at least through January and February. This is good news for the 615,000 Oregonians who count on SNAP to help put food on the table. Likewise, we understand from the USDA that WIC funding is stable through February, and that school meal funding is secure through March. We call upon the media to please support this important message that both of these programs are operating without interruption so that people will continue to apply for and utilize benefits as usual. We know firsthand that past government shutdowns have led to unnecessary drops in enrollment and benefit redemption due to confusion and misinformation. Media are encouraged to contact Jennifer Grentz, Lead Communications Officer, at DHS for more information: 503-884-9701, jennifer.grentz@state.or.us. Oregon Food Bank is working with our partners across the state to reach furloughed individuals who may be missing paychecks as a result of the shutdown to ensure they can access food assistance. We are also investigating reports that Native American communities are being adversely impacted and will do all we can to mitigate that impact. Lastly, we believe this government shutdown is continuing the patterns of criminalization and dehumanization of immigrants in our country. We call on the administration to sign the budget that reopens the parts of government that are not tied to border security. While we at Oregon Food Bank commit to doing all that we can to support and provide assistance to people impacted by this situation, food banks alone are not enough to replace these critical federal nutrition programs. The federal government plays a key role in ending hunger in America. For every meal provided by the national Feeding America Network of food banks, SNAP provides 12 meals. Food banks simply cannot make up for the loss of SNAP benefits.