Tag Archive for: #SNAP

Area Christians Together In Service Latest Needs List

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Food insecurity relief efforts continue to be a priority in Vance County for organizations like Area Christians Together in Service (ACTS), and the disruption to November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds will apply even more pressure here and across the state.

The Vance County Department of Social Services director, and other directors across the state, received written notice October 27 indicating: “The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has directed North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to suspend the issuance of November 2025 … (SNAP) to the approximately 1.4 million North Carolinians who need assistance…”

Any assistance you may be able to provide to ACTS now may become especially important in the days to come as the federal government shutdown continues.

ACTS most recent needs list includes:

GENERAL PANTRY

  • Pinto beans, navy beans, great northern beans, pork and beans, baked beans, blackeye peas
  • Sliced/diced potatoes, mixed veggies, carrots
  • Collard greens, turnip greens, mixed greens
  • Diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce
  • Tomato soup, chicken noodle soup
  • Canned chicken, canned beef, luncheon meat
  • Dry pasta, dry rice, dry beans, instant potatoes
  • Cereal, jelly, canned peaches

BACKPACK BUDDIES

  • Single serve (microwave) Chef Boyardee
  • Vienna sausages, Beanee Weenees

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Laundry detergent, dish detergent, bleach, ammonia-free glass cleaner, Awesome all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner, steel wool/scouring pads, toilet paper, paper towels

The “TownTalk” radio show on WIZS is a public affairs presentation of WIZS News.

Disruption in SNAP Benefits in North Carolina as the Federal Government Shutdown Continues

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— from Gov. Josh Stein, Who Urges USDA to Deploy Contingency Funds

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the November benefits for the 1.4 million North Carolinians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be delayed if the federal government shutdown continues.

On Oct. 10, 2025, NCDHHS was directed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to delay the issuance of November SNAP benefits due to the ongoing federal shutdown. While October benefits are not impacted, this federal inaction means there is a significant risk that November benefits will not be issued on their normal schedule. As of Oct. 27, 2025, NCDHHS has not received the necessary federal funding for the program.

Additionally, the USDA sent guidance and a notice to states on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, stating it would not be using the roughly $6 billion in federal contingency funds available to keep the SNAP program running for November. The notice also explained that the federal government would not reimburse any state funds used to cover SNAP benefits. SNAP benefits in North Carolina represent about $230 million to $250 million each month. NCDHHS will stay in close communication with federal partners and will issue SNAP benefits to beneficiaries as soon as federal funding is provided.

“I am urging the USDA to take immediate action to prevent more than 1.4 million North Carolinians – including children, people with disabilities, veterans, and working families – from going hungry,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Specifically, USDA can deploy federal contingency funds and prevent a disruption of SNAP benefits on November 1. The administration’s refusal to use these available funds as temperatures cool and the Thanksgiving holiday approaches is a cruel abdication of the responsibility to support families and communities. Congress owes it to the American people to return to the negotiating table and come together to reopen the government, stop health care premiums from skyrocketing, and ensure stability for hardworking people across our state and country.”

“We know how vital these benefits are for children, seniors, and hardworking families in every corner of our state,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai.  “Our priority is to be transparent and provide clear, factual information so families can prepare for a potential delay in benefits. We will continue to process applications and stand ready to issue benefits as quickly as possible once we receive authorization and funding from our federal partners.”

More than 600,000 households comprising 1.4 million individual North Carolinians are due to receive SNAP benefits to help put nutritious and healthy food on the table in November. Four in five North Carolina families participating in SNAP have either a child, senior or an adult with a disability. There are more than 580,000 children in North Carolina that rely on SNAP and more than 80% of people receiving SNAP benefits are working.

Additionally, NCDHHS does not currently have funding to maintain benefits past early November for the more than 262,000 people who depend on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). This critical program provides healthy food, infant formula, nutrition education and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new mothers and young children. While it is possible the federal government may allocate additional funding, at present there is no certainty that funding will be received. NCDHHS is currently exploring all options to maintain these benefits if NCDHHS does not receive federal funding for WIC.

The federal government shut down began on Oct. 1, 2025, because Congress did not pass a budget for the new fiscal year. The administration has paused or reduced many federal programs, and more than a million federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay. The longer the shutdown lasts, the more serious the impacts may become.

NCDHHS is doing everything it can to reduce the impact on North Carolinians. The department understands the uncertainty can be very concerning for individuals and families who rely on these programs. NCDHHS is committed to being transparent and will share the latest updates on the www.ncdhhs.gov/shutdown website.

NCDHHS is providing the following guidance for people who depend on food and nutrition benefits:  

Continue to Apply and Renew: All residents should continue to apply for SNAP benefits and submit renewal paperwork on time. County DSS offices remain open and are processing all applications to prevent a backlog when funding is restored.

Check Your Balance: Any benefits currently on your EBT card are still available to use. Check your balance on the ebtEDGE app, at ebtEDGE.com, or by calling the number on the back of your card (1-888-622-7328).

If you or your family is in immediate need for food resources, please call 2-1-1 to be connected with local resources. You can also visit the NCDHHS website dedicated to food access to find a food pantry closest to you.

— press release from Office of Governor Josh Stein