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Linn County allocates $80,000 Whitworth Trust grant to HACAP after SNAP pause
Summary
Linn County supervisors voted to allocate the full $80,000 Whitworth Trust grant to HACAP and terminate the Whitworth application process, citing an interruption in SNAP benefits that local food providers say has left thousands without regular assistance.
Linn County supervisors voted Wednesday to allocate the entire $80,000 annual Whitworth Trust grant to HACAP, the county’s food bank, and to terminate the open application process for this year’s funding.
Darren Gage, the county’s director of policy administration, told the board the Whitworth Grant is an annual program funded by interest on a private gift and typically provides about $80,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Linn County. He said the application period was open with a Dec. 15 deadline but the board could instead direct the full award to a single program in cases of urgent need.
Kim Gordato of HACAP described the local impact of a recent pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits: “we do have over 22,000 individuals that are enrolled in SNAP and that includes 10,815 households that live right here in Linn County that have not received SNAP benefits.” Gordato estimated the disruption’s economic impact in Linn County at roughly $5,800,000 and said HACAP has purchased about $350,000 in food supplies, including a recent $40,000 shipment of peanut butter, to meet demand.
Supervisor Reddy Marquardt called the need “critical” and said the Whitworth funds are non‑tax dollars that can be used flexibly for short‑term emergency needs. Supervisor Sheets and other board members also expressed support, noting a state match program and recent local donations. The chair moved to allocate $80,000 to HACAP and to terminate the Whitworth application process; the motion carried by voice vote.
Gage told the board he would notify potential applicants of the termination on the county website and, if the resolution passed, bring a professional services agreement for any related administrative work back to the board as needed. The board did not vote on specific distribution details for the funds beyond directing HACAP to administer them.
Next steps: county staff will post notice that the Whitworth application process is closed for this year and coordinate with HACAP and state partners on drawdown and matching funds.
