Gov. Tina Kotek on Oct. 29 directed $5 million in unspent food assistance funding to support Oregon’s food banks as more than 750,000 in the state are expected to miss out on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program disbursements in November because of the federal government shutdown.
Kotek also issued an executive order declaring a hunger emergency for food security and directed state agencies to work together. The emergency lasts for 60 days or until SNAP benefits are reinstated.
The $5 million in funds comes from previous years’ leftover Temporary Assistance for Needy Families money.
“It’s unacceptable that families are being used as leverage in a political standoff in Washington, D.C.,” Kotek said in a statement. “While the Republican-controlled Congress fails to do its job, Oregon will do ours. We stand up for each other, whether it’s fires, floods, or any other crisis. I call on all Oregonians to do what they can to help their neighbors.”
Kotek joined other Oregon leaders Oct. 27 in writing to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to ask the department to
Gov. Tina Kotek directs $5M to Oregon food banks amid cuts to SNAP
