Hamilton County reallocates unused opioid funds for local food banks during government shutdown
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- As the federal government shutdown extends past day 35, over 34,000 people in Hamilton County are no longer receiving SNAP benefits.
Soddy-Daisy Food Bank President Alan Gram said, “Our numbers have increased by about 50 percent the first service day of the month.”
Mayor Wamp says this is a scene playing out across the county.
He said, “I was at the Bethlehem Center yesterday in Alton Park and just heard about a long line that morning for their food pantry.”
Other food pantries are stretched thin trying to meet demand such as the Red Bank Food Pantry.
Commissioner David Sharpe described, “I know that this week they have increased their orders for food by over 50 percent, hoping that will meet the anticipated growth and need, but we don’t know how long that is sustainable.”
This is why in a resolution approved Wednesday evening by the Hamilton County Commission, $195,000 of unused dollars from the county’s opioid abatement fund are being reallocated to area food pantries.
This is addition to $5 million dollars being pledged across the state of Tennessee by Governor Bill Lee, of which Mayor Wamp expects about $250,000 to come to Hamilton County.
Mayor Wamp says this is an example of when the local government needs to step in to make up for issues at the federal level.
Mayor Wamp said, “We also hope this signals to those in the community who have resources that there is a moment of need. I hope that it is that goes away pretty quickly in the form of the federal government coming back to work. It is at this point a pretty embarrassing situation again in the greatest country in the world. This is not commentary on either political party. People are cynical enough about all of us politicians.”
Soddy-Daisy Food Bank President Alan Gram says that each dollar can buy them four meals, so the county hopes these resources can get them through the uncertain times ahead.
Mayor Wamp said, “I would hope that everybody in Washington that everybody in the public is growing weary of the dysfunction.”
Mayor Wamp says they plan to get these local food pantries this money as soon as Thursday.
