Social Services Director Tara Yard is worried. With SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits due to stop November 1, she foresees increased pressure on both the selectman’s discretionary fund and the Norfolk Food Pantry as people are deprived of the governmental food assistance.
SNAP funds will remain unavailable until the federal government shutdown ends. Benefit cards will not be loaded with new purchasing power and any unused benefits left on them will not be available until the government resumes operation.
Governor Ned Lamont has announced $3 million in emergency funding for Connecticut Foodshare to expand its capacity to help those in need, according to the state website.
“Norfolk has a lot of people who need help and are quiet about asking for it,” said Yard. “The saddest part is older people living alone. The amount they receive is not enough to buy groceries for a month. I worry, and I see who people come in and they are worried.”
She said that SNAP benefits, which can only be used for certain kinds of foods, are based on income rather than assets. “A lot of people on SNAP are living in their own homes, but a lot of older people are finding it much harder. It’s a terrible time for this to happen and will put a huge strain on the food pantry.”
Town officials and volunteers at the food pantry have been discussing how to fill the gap for a month, she said. “We’re going to rely more on the Food Bank in Torrington. But they are in the middle of moving and working to get open as soon as possible.
“Lynn Deasy [head of the food pantry operated out of Battell Chapel] is amazing and she has the most dedicated group working with her,” Yard continued. But with demand already high, the food pantry has had to cut back from four to three open days and on the geographical area it serves, limiting itself to people from Norfolk, Canaan, Colebrook, Falls Village, Winchester and Winsted starting November 11.
“They had to scale down the radius of the area they serve. Food banks just couldn’t keep up with the demand [when inflation soared]. Food pantries are going to be invaluable now,” Yard said.
She suggested that those who wish to help families in need during the governmental shutdown make donations to the Norfolk Food Pantry or send donations to the Selectman’s Discretionary Account, PO Box 592, Norfolk CT 06057. The discretionary fund, administered confidentially by Yard and the first selectman, is designed to help people who can’t afford food or who are in danger of having their power shut off.