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Salem Council approves $20,000 donation to Marion Polk Food Share amid SNAP disruption
Summary
The Salem City Council voted unanimously Nov. 10 to transfer $20,000 from the FY26 general fund to Marion Polk Food Share to help residents affected by a temporary suspension of SNAP benefits. Councilors framed the gift as an emergency stopgap tied to increased local demand and the food bank’s purchasing leverage.
The Salem City Council voted Nov. 10 to authorize a $20,000 donation to Marion Polk Food Share to support residents affected by the recent suspension of SNAP benefits. Councilor Teigen moved the measure and the council adopted Resolution 2025-30 to transfer $20,000 of appropriation within the fiscal year 2026 general fund for the donation. The motion passed on a roll call with all council members present voting yes; Mayor Julie Hoy was absent.
Rick Gapo, president of Marion Polk Food Share, warned council that demand has increased sharply in recent years. He told the council the local pantry network had about 10,000 unique visits per month pre-pandemic, rose to roughly 14,000 at the pandemic peak, and currently is at about 18,000 unique visits per month. "We have more people coming to pantries than ever before," he said, and described the food share’s recent effort to purchase about $850,000 in direct food supplies to distribute across Marion and Polk counties.
Council members described the gift as a modest but practical lever. "For that same $20,000, they can get a lot more shelf‑stable food than I ever could with the same amount of money," Councilor Nordyke said. Councilor Teigen called the donation an example of local government stepping in when federal action lagged.
The resolution directs staff to transfer funds to Marion Polk Food Share; the food bank will deploy the money for immediate purchases and distribution. The city attorney noted the legal and administrative changes around SNAP remain in flux after recent court and administrative actions at the state and federal level.
Council members said they expect ongoing requests for local assistance if state or federal benefits remain disrupted. The council did not authorize long‑term recurring spending; this action is a one‑time appropriation for immediate relief.
The council’s action followed public testimony from the food bank and local nonprofit partners discussing service statistics and behavioral impacts of the SNAP interruption. The council will not revisit the specific $20,000 item unless staff or councilors bring a new request.
