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Councilman Penn urges city coordination with food banks ahead of SNAP cuts
Summary
Councilman Penn warned council members that federal SNAP benefits will be reduced Nov. 1 and urged the city to coordinate with food banks and local partners to assist airport and other workers and residents who may face food insecurity.
Councilman Penn raised concerns that federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be cut on Nov. 1 and urged the city to prepare by coordinating with food banks and community partners.
"I just want to let everyone know," Councilman Penn said, asking the council to consider ways "we can work with our food banks" because "these are workers who... need food." He noted reports that Mobile Airport Authority staff had provided food for airport workers amid pay concerns and said similar assistance could be needed by residents across the city.
Penn asked colleagues to consider discretionary funds and district-level assistance and urged staff to examine options for partnering with food banks and non-profit providers. The council did not adopt a specific program or appropriation at the pre-council meeting; members acknowledged the topic and suggested coordination work to follow.
