Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that the state will provide $500,000 in emergency funding to food banks across Arkansas as federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) remains on hold during the ongoing government shutdown.
The funds, approved Thursday through the Arkansas Legislative Council’s Restricted Reserve, will be distributed equally among six food bank networks across the state. Sanders said the state will reassess the need for additional support on a weekly basis if the shutdown continues.
Six Arkansas food bank networks will receive equal portions of the funds:
- Northwest Arkansas Food Bank at Springdale
- Food Bank of North Central Arkansas at Norfork
- Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas at Jonesboro
- River Valley Regional Food Bank at Fort Smith
- Arkansas Foodbank at Little Rock
- Arkansas Foodbank Lexa Branch
- Arkansas Foodbank Warren Branch
- Harvest Regional Food Bank at Texarkana
“What Senate Democrats are doing is unconscionable, playing political games with the food assistance that nearly a quarter million Arkansans rely on,” said Governor Sanders. “The simplest, fastest solution remains for Democrats to reopen the government and fund programs like SNAP, but in the meantime, my administration will work with our legislators, churches, and food banks to help feed Arkansans.”
Arkansas’ SNAP program serves nearly a quarter million beneficiaries at more than 2,700 retail locations.
The Governor also announced that the HelpArkansas.com page on her website will direct Arkansans to food assistance resources throughout the state and will be updated as the government shutdown continues. Arkansans looking to volunteer or donate to help those in need can also find information on the site.
Arkansans impacted by this are encouraged to visit HelpArkansas.com to find a nearby food bank and monitor guidance updates from Arkansas’ Department of Human Services, which oversees the state’s SNAP program.
