The Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS) works with refugees and immigrants throughout New Hampshire and in the greater Worcester, Massachusetts region to ensure our New American families have the resources they need to become engaged, healthy, and productive citizens. SNAP – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – is a critical resource for the majority of families ORIS works with. However, we are faced with beginning the holiday season without this federally-funded resource. No matter the politics leading to the government shutdown, the reality is that over 120,000 households in ORIS’s service area will struggle to put food on the table starting November 1.
State and local governments, as well as food banks, and other service providers are working to execute plans to address families’ emergency needs without federal SNAP benefits, but these plans will not meet the need.
In New Hampshire, the state government has proposed a $2 million partnership with the New Hampshire Food Bank to distribute emergency food aid, utilizing state dollars. This plan awaits approval by the Executive Council, however this proposal has yet to appear on an Executive Council agenda! This means that no plan will be in place to support New Hampshire SNAP recipients when the November 1 deadline hits.
In Massachusetts, the state government is leaving local governments and agencies to plan for residents’ needs during this food access crisis. Worcester families are being referred to The Worcester County Food Bank and other nonprofits. However, these organizations are already struggling to serve their existing clients.
The shutdown puts refugee and immigrant families at risk of hunger. Join us in ensuring every family has access to healthy food this season.