County seeks partners after state pauses November SNAP issuance

Dolores County social-services staff member Melinda told commissioners the state notified the county last week that November disbursements of food-assistance benefits would be paused, and that Dolores County typically releases about $40,000 in SNAP benefits each month.

"...we received information from the state last week ... that the November issuance for food assistance benefits ... has been placed on hold," Melinda said, and asked the board to authorize an emergency meeting of local partners to plan for shortfalls and possible deployment of Dolores County Social Services funds.

Melinda proposed a Wednesday afternoon meeting at 2:30 p.m. with emergency management, the school district, the public-health department, local food providers and the senior center. Commissioners agreed that bringing partners together promptly was sensible and said county staff would help post and coordinate the meeting.

Melinda outlined possible short-term responses including asking regional food banks or mutual-aid organizations to provide interim food supplies, and using county social-services funds as a temporary bridge if partners cannot cover the full shortfall. She said county staff have already begun outreach to school and health partners and that the Montezuma County Good Food Collective was holding an emergency meeting earlier in the day she hoped to use as a model.

The board did not take a formal vote on expenditures at the meeting but agreed to support convening the partners to develop options for addressing the benefit pause. County staff said they would circulate meeting details and follow up with commissioners on any funding requests.