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Board allocates $47,000 United Way flood-relief grant to supplement SNAP benefits
Summary
Tazewell County accepted a $47,000 United Way grant for flood relief and directed county staff to use the funds to supplement SNAP assistance for residents affected by recent storms. Board members discussed whether to target a smaller number of severely impacted households or spread funds more widely.
The Tazewell County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 4 accepted a $47,000 grant from United Way earmarked for local flood relief and voted to appropriate the funds to supplement SNAP benefits distributed by the county’s Department of Social Services.
County Administrator Young told the board the county approved the United Way grant in the consent calendar; the money is to be used for county residents negatively affected by the recent storm. Young said local DSS and community service providers reported food loss and households in need of help restocking refrigerators and freezers as the most frequent requests after the storm.
Young and board members discussed alternative distribution approaches: spreading the $47,000 across a large number of households (which would yield a small per-household benefit) versus targeting a smaller number of households with major damage. Young offered a sample calculation during the meeting: "If $47,000 spread over 500 people, it's $90" — an example used to frame tradeoffs between breadth and depth of assistance.
Supervisors approved a motion to appropriate the grant money to supplement SNAP benefits administered by DSS so those identified through existing benefit channels could be assisted quickly. The board noted that using DSS would leverage an existing, needs-based application process and reduce administrative overhead compared with building a new intake system.
Action: Motion to appropriate the $47,000 United Way grant for supplemental SNAP assistance and related flood relief programs. Motion passed by voice vote; approved (ayes have it). The board asked staff to coordinate with DSS, Clinch Valley Community Services and local towns to identify needs and report back on distribution plans.
What’s next: County staff will work with DSS and local partners to finalize eligibility and distribution. Supervisors asked for follow-up reporting on the number of households served and how the funds were used.
