At a Monday night work session, Spring Lake commissioners briefly discussed the upcoming pause of SNAP and WIC benefits that will impact about 33,000 households in Cumberland County.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called SNAP or food stamps, helps low-income households buy food.
Funding for SNAP is set to expire on Nov. 1 as the federal government shutdown continues. Other food assistance programs like WIC, a program that supports women, children, and infants, will also face a funding cutoff.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services estimates that more than 1.5 million people in the state rely on SNAP and other food assistance programs.
In Spring Lake, several programs will operate throughout November to get food and resources into the hands of people in need. Here are a few of the programs being offered.
After-school meals and snacks
The Spring Lake Afterschool Meals Program, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and programming for at-risk youth and families, has partnered with the Spring Lake Recreation Center to provide students with free meals and snacks after the school day ends. Linett McNeil, executive director of the organization, said that the program already serves about 80 students each day.
This program, which began in February, also offers monthly educational workshops and access to recreational activities and resources.
McNeil said the organization plans to implement “community feeding days” open to all Spring Lake residents and offer take-home bags to help feed and support families during weekends.
The Afterschool Meals Program runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday at Spring Lake Recreation Center, 245 Ruth St. It also operates at Spring Lake Middle School from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m Monday through Thursday.
Other food assistance and accessibility events
Mayor Pro Tem Soña Cooper on Monday also spoke about an upcoming food distribution event in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina. The event will begin at 9 a.m. on Nov. 6 at Bethel AME Zion Church, 255 Vass Road.
Each year, Spring Lake also participates in Operation Turkey, a nationwide food distribution event. Commissioner Marvin Lackman said Spring Lake Town Hall will serve as a distribution center for more than 1,000 meals for Spring Lake residents in need this Thanksgiving, which falls on Nov. 27. For more information or to sign up to receive a meal, visit the Operation Turkey website.
Within Spring Lake, several food banks, food pantries, and other resource centers are available to assist those in need, including Second Harvest Food Bank, which partners with many local organizations. The Town of Spring Lake website has dedicated resource pages where residents can learn where to find help in town, including information and locator tools for food banks and local food pantries.
Mayor Kia Anthony is urging residents to volunteer at upcoming events, noting that many areas of Spring Lake are food deserts—areas within a city where it’s hard to find affordable or quality food resources.
“We really need all hands on deck to be aware and reaching out to as many resources as we can, so we can try to close that gap” Anthony said. “Please reach out and help us help our community.”
The next Spring Lake Board of Commissioners meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 10 at Spring Lake Town Hall, 300 Ruth St.
