Douglas County allocates $200,000 to food banks after SNAP benefits pause

Douglas County commissioners voted unanimously on Nov. 4 to allocate $200,000 to local food banks to help residents affected by a pause in federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The board approved the measure after hearing testimony from Chelsea Salafu, executive director of Heartland Hope Mission, who told commissioners pantries are already seeing a 25%–50% increase in demand and that numbers could double once SNAP cuts take full effect. "We're anticipating to see those numbers at least double," Salafu said, and offered a rough estimate that a partial SNAP funding reduction could translate to about $5,000,000 in lost purchasing power in the Omaha metro area. Salafu said roughly 60,000 people in the metro area currently receive SNAP benefits (estimate).

Commissioner Chris Rogers, who sponsored the resolution, said the allocation was a short-term local response while urging that federal action is also needed. "My hope is that this will be over pretty soon," Rogers said, but added that the county should step in to support residents while the pause persists.

Commissioner John Kavanaugh (first name used in transcript as Kavanaugh) said he was in "wholehearted agreement" with the measure and framed the county action as necessary while Washington addresses the funding pause, noting the local impact on mothers, newborns and families.

Commissioner Friend supported the allocation but expressed a procedural concern that the resolution as printed did not specify the funding source. Rogers told the board he had spoken with Health Department Director Hughes and with Lloyd Perch and said the $200,000 would come from the health department fund rather than from the county cash reserve. The board added a friendly amendment to ensure all partner food-bank organizations named on the agenda are listed in the final paragraph of the resolution.

The board approved the resolution 7–0. The chair also noted the county will host a postponed presentation on homelessness at the Nov. 18 meeting.

Votes at a glance: the board approved Board of Equalization minutes and set a hearing for assessment corrections (motion passed 7–0); approved resolutions C–F as a block (7–0); approved the SID levy breakout correction (7–0); approved county minutes and claims (7–0); approved consent agenda A–F (7–0); approved the Operation Greenlight proclamation for veterans (7–0); approved the $200,000 allocation to food banks (7–0); voted to enter executive session for legal advice, litigation and personnel (7–0); reconvened and adjourned (recorded as passing with Commissioner Kavanaugh not voting).