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Commissioners approve multi‑part emergency response to SNAP disruption, authorize donations and legal review
Summary
After testimony from grocers, food banks and community groups, the Commissioners Court approved an emergency, multi‑part response to a SNAP disruption tied to the federal government shutdown and authorized immediate donation intake and legal and administrative actions.
The El Paso County Commissioners Court on Nov. 3 approved a multi‑part motion directing county staff to take immediate steps to respond to local food insecurity linked to a federal SNAP disruption and the government shutdown.
Background: Commissioner Stout opened the item by describing reduced SNAP benefits and the county’s particular exposure because of the region’s high concentration of federal civilian employees. He said the court should explore emergency actions and partnerships so “no one in El Paso goes hungry.” Community speakers, business leaders and nonprofit directors told the court the situation was already affecting households and local businesses.
What community speakers reported: Melissa Santos, director of finance and marketing for Food City, provided store‑level metrics: at two Food City stores SNAP/EBT accounted for 16% and 31% of sales at the named locations; Food City reported a multi‑year decline in SNAP sales and said…
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