Governor Morrisey announces additional funding over the weekend as SNAP runs out
- Robert Fields
- 54 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Robert Fields | WVOW News
CHARLESTON Governor Patrick Morrisey announced additional support for food banks and pantries across West Virginia as the ongoing federal government shutdown halts new SNAP benefits for nearly 270,000 residents.
On Friday, the governor said the state has sent another $2.5 million to provide emergency food assistance, bringing total support to $8.6 million since the start of the shutdown. That total includes $1.1 million in expedited funds last week and $5 million authorized earlier in the week.
Morrisey said his office is monitoring the situation daily and pledged continued efforts to prevent food shortages.
“Whenever the federal government does open, there might be some time period – whether four to seven days – before the cards become active again, because the money has to get loaded in,” Morrisey said. “I promise you that, whether the government opens next week or the week after – we don’t know, we don’t predict that, I hope it comes to an end – but we are gonna need those resources.”
The governor also called on residents, businesses, churches, and organizations to donate directly to Facing Hunger Food Bank and Mountaineer Food Bank to help meet demand.
Major General Jim Seward said Friday that the state National Guard is assisting with logistics and personnel support, including food distribution and transportation. Families in need of food assistance can call 2-1-1 or visit w-v-2-1-1-dot-org for information on local pantries and Family Resource Network contacts.
“If you call or text 2-1-1 with your zip code, they will call you back, and we’re uploading all of the information for all of the available food pantries or the National Guard popup locations where there may not be a food pantry available,” said Seward.
For those who are able to comfortably contribute to either the Facing Hunger or Mountaineer Food Bank, those links have been shared on our Facebook page.
PHOTOS | YouTube - Governor Patrick Morrisey