Golden Harvest tells commissioners SNAP lapse created weeks-long food crisis; officials consider eviction and water-shutoff moratorium
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Summary
Golden Harvest Food Bank warned of a sudden spike in food insecurity tied to a SNAP benefits lapse, and commissioners discussed a possible moratorium on evictions and water shutoffs and next steps with courts and housing authorities.
Representatives from Golden Harvest Food Bank briefed the Augusta-Richmond County Commission on emergency food needs after a lapse in SNAP benefits that began Nov. 1.
Amy Brightman, president and CEO of Golden Harvest, said the bank serves 24 counties and that roughly 20,000 Richmond County residents were without SNAP benefits after the lapse. Brightman said the pull on the food bank was enormous and that restoring benefits would not immediately restore food security because of distribution lags.
"In Richmond County alone, what we're looking at is 20,000 of our residents that are now without SNAP benefits," Brightman said. Jake Griffiths, the food bank—s chief operating officer, said Golden Harvest had answered roughly 600% more calls the previous week and that 52% of those were SNAP-related.
Commissioners pressed staff and legal counsel about tools the county could use. Marshal Marsha Lampkin and Attorney Plunkett said a local moratorium on evictions would require coordination with the judicial system; the county likely lacks unilateral authority to halt evictions without courts or state action. Commissioners discussed a possible resolution expressing intent and asked staff to draft options and to consult with the housing authority and chief magistrate judge.
Pulliam and others urged immediate action to help residents; Administrator Allen and legal staff said they would circulate a memo with options to the commission by the end of the week and coordinate with the housing authority and courts.
Next steps: Staff and legal counsel will research local options for a moratorium and report potential mechanisms (including water shutoff authority and partnerships with the housing authority) back to the commission; Golden Harvest asked for logistical help and publicizing available distribution sites.
