Lt. Gov. Jaqueline Coleman criticized the federal administration during a Friday press conference at a God’s Pantry Food Bank location in Lexington.
“Make no mistake, cutting SNAP benefits is a choice, and it is a choice that is being made by Washington, DC and politicians who are completely out of touch,” Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman said. “Our taxpayer money has already paid for this program. The money is already there.”
Kentucky is among 25 states that sued the federal government, arguing it has billions of dollars it can use to fund SNAP during emergencies.
Multiple federal judges ruled Friday the suspension is unlawful, and have asked the Trump administration to make a plan to distribute SNAP benefits in some form.
Coleman said Friday that even with such rulings, there would still be a delay in getting benefits out. Those decisions are also likely to be appealed.
“It will be interesting to see, if this judge requires a release of funds, how far the federal government is going to push back on hungry families,” Coleman said. “That's not a good look, so I'm hoping that they don't and they let that funding flow.”
The delay affects around 600,000 Kentuckians. Of that number, 260,000 are under the age of 18, more than 60,000 have disabilities and more than 92,000 are elderly.
God’s Pantry says they’ve already been strained by increased need, with thousands of federal workers in the region going without paychecks as the shutdown continues.
“It's interesting, because I feel like we're back in the COVID era. Like, this is a huge disaster, and it's not right,” God’s Pantry Vice President Danielle Bozarth said.
The pantry says they’ve gotten help from donors and other organizations in the meantime to help them prepare.
“We received 900 disaster boxes to help our agencies in central and eastern Kentucky so they're able to place orders, or we'll distribute them through mobile pantries so that folks can get those disaster boxes,” Bozarth said.
Michelle Coker, director of child nutrition at Fayette County Public Schools, said school nutrition programs are also ready to bridge the gap.
“If your student attends a site that is not free or provides the opportunity, please reach out. There is meal assistance. There are opportunities for your student to participate and be provided meals as well,” Coker said.
Family Resource and Youth Services Centers are also providing support outside school hours. They work with school districts to help students in need.
?Some families, this may be the very first time they have to ask for assistance from their Family Resource and Youth Services Center,” Raine Engle-Minichan, associate director of student support at FCPS, said. “To those who are newly facing food insecurity, please hear this: there is no shame in needing support, and we are here for you.”
Donations can be made to God’s Pantry here.
