COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – Roughly 41 million people in the United States receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, otherwise known as ‘SNAP’, formerly known as ‘food stamps’. Here in Columbus, Feeding the Valley Food Bank is doing everything they can to provide families with the assistance they need.
“Instead of doing an application on their own and having to go through all of the endless pages and questions that the government asks for, I’m able to set up a phone appointment with them, talk, get their information, and actually learn about their individual situation,” said Hannah Skipworth, SNAP Outreach Benefits Coordinator for Feeding the Valley Food Bank.
Skipworth’s job with Feeding the Valley is all centered around helping individuals struggling with the process of receiving SNAP benefits and renewals. She tells me people can avoid the large hassles by simply getting in touch with her.
“Your age, how many kids are in the home, what’s the work situation – so being able to talk to the person, really learn about their life and make them a person to the government instead of just a number is really instrumental,” said Skipworth.
The SNAP program is a federal initiative that provides food to families on a low income and serves 17 counties in Georgia.
“The SNAP Outreach Program is just another way to help individuals who are in need,” said President and CEO of Feeding the Valley Food Bank, Frank Sheppard. “They may qualify for those benefits, but have trouble navigating the whole process.”
The process of receiving benefits can become challenging when going through the state or government directly, and with help from those at Feeding the Valley, individuals can receive a much needed helping hand.
“I’m seeing a lot of delayed mail, a lot of people never hearing from the state,” said Skipworth. “If it does seem like a viable eligibility – being able to submit the application for them, referring them to other non-profits in the area, so that they have resources and support and don’t just feel like they’re taking on this mountain of things by themselves.”
“It’s just all about making sure individuals in the community do have that vital resource of the proper nutrition,” said Sheppard. “…so that we get good, healthy food out to them and it helps them maintain their daily needs.”
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