YWCA Central Carolinas Sounds the Alarm on SNAP Benefits
No one, anywhere, for any reason deserves to experience hunger, including children and families.
Despite recent movement to end the government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients are still going without benefits, with the responsibility for serving our neighbors and families falling increasingly on local government and the non-profit sector.
If you don’t know about the Y-Dub’s work in Charlotte, YWCA Central Carolinas serves many local families in need, especially those in transition, by providing safe, affordable housing for single women and families with minor children while they participate in an intensive support case management program.
Unfortunately, many children, women, and families across Charlotte — including those in the YWCA’s transformative programs — will continue to suffer for weeks due to the suspension of SNAP benefits.
At this publication, our values lead us to believe that no one, anywhere, for any reason deserves to experience hunger, including children and families.
So on behalf of the Y’all Weekly team, we’re sharing the YWCA’s message of ways you can help families experiencing the hunger crisis below.
SNAP benefit delays are impacting YWCA families — here’s how you can help
The federal government shutdown is disrupting SNAP benefits for individuals and families across the country—including 100% of the families in our Families Together (FT) program, 40% of the women in our Women in Transition (WIT) program and many of our families enrolled in our Youth Learning Centers (YLCs).
As we continue to monitor the situation and the uncertainty surrounding SNAP funding, including when benefits will be restored, many families will still face delays before assistance reaches them.
Now more than ever, we need your help to fill this urgent and growing food gap for the people we serve. Below are several ways you can offer support:
1) $25 Gift Cards—highest priority
The purchase of $25 gift cards to Food Lion or Aldi will directly support our housing participants and families enrolled in our YLCs across Mecklenburg and Union counties.
2) Non-Perishable Food Items
We are accepting specific non-perishable food donations to ensure participants receive what they need most. Please only donate items from the list found here.
Looking for more ways to support? We encourage you to support YWCA’s partners, Nourish Up and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.
All donations, including gift cards and non-perishable food items, can be dropped off at the YWCA front desk (3420 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209) 9 AM-7 PM. Every item collected will go directly to the women and families in our housing and youth programs. Please note, any unused donated food items will be donated to YWCA’s food partners.
We will update our website with information as the situation—and our participants’ needs—continue to change. If you have any questions, please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Jamila Green, at jgreen@ywcacentralcarolinas.org.