Commissioners report local response for veterans facing SNAP interruption; Basin Transit waives fares to food bank

Commissioners reported on local efforts to get food to veterans and other residents affected by an interruption to SNAP benefits and other recent service disruptions.

A commissioner said the Veterans Advisory Council is working with local partners — the food bank, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Marine Corps League, the VFW and the American Legion — to develop delivery and distribution systems for food boxes and prepared meals while benefits are interrupted. The council expected to use a mix of donated dollars and partnerships to reach veterans who are unhoused or whose SNAP benefits were interrupted.

The commissioner reported that Oregon’s governor declared a state food emergency and that the state is distributing $5,000,000 to food banks statewide, including the local food bank. The county’s food bank director, Laurie, told commissioners the food bank’s shelves are low and that demand jumped an estimated 35% in the first days after the benefits interruption. The director said the local food bank prefers purchasing locally where possible and has partnerships that staff believe maximize the value of state funds.

Basin Transit has added a bus stop in front of the food bank and is waiving fares for as long as the shutdown and related emergency period continue; the commissioner said the fare waiver will remain in effect through the end of the month if the shutdown ends immediately, or through the end of the month that follows a later shutdown end date (staff described the waiver as tied to the duration of the shutdown).

Commissioners said they will coordinate a press release and outreach to ensure veterans know about available food boxes and prepared meals and will continue to work with partners to expand delivery and distribution options during the benefit interruption.