Sarah DiRoma, an Onslow County Department of Social Services representative, told Onslow County Today that families worried about federal nutrition benefits should know the county continues to process applications and maintain a list of local resources.

DiRoma pointed to an "Onslow County resource sheet" and community partners including Onslow Community Outreach and Richlands Community Outreach that maintain pantries and food distributions. She highlighted Operation Kindness Onslow, a Facebook-run resource calendar that compiles pantry dates, addresses and monthly schedules to help residents locate available food distributions.

On SNAP benefits specifically, DiRoma said the U.S. Department of Agriculture will issue communications and that benefit issuance may be delayed; DSS remains open to take applications and provide guidance. She encouraged residents to apply through the state ePass portal, call the agency, or visit the department at 612 College Street in Jacksonville for in-person help.

DiRoma said DSS staff and community partners will continue to share available resources daily and asked residents to use county channels or Operation Kindness Onslow to find up-to-date listings.