Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a donation drive with matching state funding of up to $13 million to help food banks while federal supplemental food benefits are halted during the ongoing shutdown.
So the total amount available would be up to $26 million.
“We’d like people to match it. It’s an aspirational goal that we’re trying to get to, and it would be great if we had a flood of private donations,” Morrisey said near the conclusion of an announcement at the Capitol.
“I have confidence in the people of West Virginia. I really do. This is a significant commitment and we’re not going to turn our backs on our people.”
The total amount necessary to fund SNAP benefits in West Virginia for a month is about $47 million.
Federal officials announced within the past few days that benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will not be available Nov. 1, affecting 42 million Americans.
Some states, like neighboring Virginia, have taken emergency measures to provide food benefits for their citizens during the shutdown.
About 275,000 West Virginians — 16% of the state’s population — are supported by SNAP benefits. Last week, Morrisey announced the state would expedite $1.1 million of already-appropriated emergency funding to food banks.
Today, Morrisey went a little farther by announcing the matching fund and adding that the West Virginia National Guard will support food banks, food pantries and state agencies with logistics and distribution efforts
“West Virginians take care of our neighbors. It’s times like these that we need to come together as Team West Virginia to help those in need,” Morrisey said.
Food banks have been bracing for spiking demand as SNAP benefits run dry. The state government matching funds effort provided links to donate to Facing Hunger Food Bank or to donate to Mountaineer Food Bank.
The initiative also provided links that can be scanned by smartphones to donate.
“We applaud this partnership and the quick action steps of the governor and this administration to support hunger relief at this period in which we are experiencing a 50% increase in demand at the food bank, for our pantry partners and at our mobile pantries,” said Cynthia Kirkhart, chief executive of Facing Hunger Food Bank.
“The resources provided will be directed to the purchase and distribution of food, and to our pantry partners for their use to meet the emergency food assistance needs of the communities we collectively serve.”
House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, who attended the governor’s announcement, said it’s important for West Virginians to step up.
“In an environment in which food security is already a baked in problem that we in our communities experience every day, a federal government that has abdicated its responsibility to do basic services and provide basic funding for the functions of government is unacceptable,” said Hanshaw, R-Clay.
“So today’s decision is the right decision. I applaud the governor and the entire executive team for the decision to step in and fill the void that’s been created by a dysfunctional federal government.”
Democrats in the House of Delegates sent a letter to Morrisey, prior to today’s announcement, asking that he use various contingency funds to address the shortfall in SNAP benefits.
After the governor’s announcement, Delegate Kayla Young, who attended in person, praised the governor for taking some action — but she said the state should go farther.
“I’m glad the governor is making the National Guard available to help food pantries and I’m glad that he is willing to spend state dollars, but it shouldn’t come with any strings attached. That is unacceptable,” said Young, D-Kanawha.
“Asking his billionaire buddies, or the hard-working people of West Virginia who are already feeling pinched at the grocery store to step up is ridiculous when the state has the money to fund SNAP. Governor Morrisey should cough up the full amount needed for families or call in the Legislature to appropriate money. This is not good enough.”