Commissioner raises concern about SNAP disruption and proposes mutual-aid event amid federal shutdown

Commissioner Skalitzki raised concerns at the Oct. 27 Mount Pleasant City Commission meeting about the potential local impact of a federal government shutdown and a state announcement that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would not be distributed for November.

Skalitzki said the situation "weighs on me, and I just going into the holiday season, I have a lot of concern for our community members," and asked whether staff or fellow commissioners had thoughts on ways city services could help if the interruption continued. He acknowledged that the city could not fill federal program gaps alone and noted that local organizations, including the Isabelle County Soup Kitchen, reported they felt prepared in terms of food stock but were most concerned about space.

As a potential local response, Skalitzki proposed organizing a mutual-aid fair to connect residents with resources, information and services. He said he had discussed the idea with the soup kitchen, the Strickler Center and Bear River Treatment Facility and noted the National Homeless Coalition was offering a mini grant for events that include voter registration. "When your neighbor is in need, you build a longer table, not a higher fence," he said, describing the concept.

The Commission did not take any formal action at the meeting; the exchange was part of announcements and discussion. No formal staff direction or city funding decision was recorded. Skalitzki said he was pursuing the idea and would seek coordination with community partners.