This week, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced that she is releasing $2 million of the state’s emergency funds to go towards eight food banks, serving all of Alabama’s 67 counties.
The decision by Ivey comes amidst the current government shutdown and the USDA’s suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This week saw the first day that some of the state’s SNAP recipients missed an issuance of benefits to their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
Because SNAP benefits are 100 percent federally funded, states are unable to provide these benefits. In addition to the $2 million of state emergency funds, DHR is also redirecting an additional $3 million to the Feeding Alabama food banks network, which touches all 67 counties…