The recent resolution of the federal government shutdown brings potential relief to Western North Carolinians, who might receive their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as early as tomorrow, according to Gov. Josh Stein.
During a volunteer event at Asheville’s MANNA Food Bank on Thursday, Stein criticized the federal government for its decision to halt SNAP benefits.
“They exacerbated people’s pain, people’s hunger,” Stein remarked. “1.4 million North Carolinians get SNAP benefits. Hundreds of thousands of those are children, disabled people, seniors, people who desperately need nutrition every day.”
At the event, Stein also handed over a $585,000 check to the food bank. This amount is part of nearly $22 million in state funds and donations collected to support food relief during the shutdown.
MANNA is experiencing unprecedented demand, even before the federal shutdown, as reported by its CEO, Claire Neal. From the time Hurricane Helene hit, the food bank has distributed 19 million pounds of food. The halt of EBT/SNAP has further escalated the need in the 16 westernmost counties that MANNA supports.
“We’re hearing from our pantry partners, more people are coming for food assistance than ever before,” Neal noted. “More people need immediate food assistance, and there are more new people who have never needed to use a food pantry or a food bank before needing that help.”
Stein emphasized that the situation could deteriorate further in the coming years.
“2026 is gonna be a wave of pain, which only underscores why MANNA is so important to the community,” Stein said.
