By Sara Beth Williams–
Single Mom Strong, a local nonprofit that supports families with single mothers with various resources, is responding to the anticipated increase in need by launching a grocery gift card drive to provide relief for households affected by the benefit disruption.
In a letter to its community members, Single Mom Strong founder Tara Taylor issued a request to the community to help provide food for families in need during the continuation of the U.S. government shutdown.
“With SNAP benefits soon to be disrupted, single parents are left scrambling to keep food on the table,” the organization said in its letter. “These are caregivers already stretching every dollar… Now they are asked to do the impossible.”
The federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which helps low-income families afford food by providing monthly benefits on an alerting benefits transfer card, has reported that necessary funding to continue the program has been depleted due to the shutdown of the federal government. On Monday, Nov. 3, the current administration announced that the program would be partially funded through the month of November with a $4 million contingency fund. It’s unclear when funding for SNAP recipients will be provided.
Due to the disruption and uncertainty in food assistance benefits, Single Mom Strong urged the community to step up and help by asking for community members to purchase and donate grocery gift cards. All donations will be distributed to single-mother families in need and provide “immediate” help.
Friday, Sunrise Christian Food Ministry director April Jacek said the food pantry is also partnering with Single Mom Strong to help single moms during the Thanksgiving season by providing moms who receive gift cards the ability to sign up for a thanksgiving meal. Thanksgiving meals are distributed by the food bank the week prior to Thanksgiving.
“Every contribution becomes meals, snacks for school days, and a little breathing room for parents who are carrying the load alone,” Single Mom Strong said.
Community members can donate grocery store gift cards of any amount to Single Mom Strong’s address, or by making a monetary donation by Nov. 13 through the organization’s online link.
All funds raised will be used to purchase grocery store gift cards for local families.
“Food security is a fundamental dignity,” Taylor said. “When we help parents feed their kids, we send a clear message that they are not forgotten.”
Single Mom Strong also noted that single parents in the Sacramento region whose SNAP benefits have been disrupted can reach out directly for assistance, which will be distributed while supplies last on a first-come, first-served basis.
Anyone with more information can contact Single Mom Strong or visit their website.
