Board members and staff reported that Cass County and local partners have launched a coordinated response to a recent pause in SNAP benefits. The county described outreach to community food providers, school districts and volunteer networks to address immediate food access and communication needs.

The chair said the response began with a press conference and meetings between zone directors and interim and deputy commissioners, followed by local coordination with groups including United Way, the Emergency Food Bank and Great Plains Food Bank. Board staff said they contacted seven school districts in Cass County to align messaging and local distribution plans and that community organizations were preparing volunteer and donation drives.

"We have a good community group, trying to get some messaging, so you'll probably see some of that," the meeting chair said, summarizing how local partners plan to publicize volunteer opportunities and pop-up service sites.

Staff reported that call-center volume had not spiked the Monday of the meeting and that current wait times were manageable, though they expected uptake to increase later in the week. County staff described plans to target rural areas, senior centers and other locations for outreach and possible delivery if needed.

Ending: The board encouraged continued coordination with nonprofits and school districts and said it would publicize volunteer and donation opportunities through United Way and other partners.