The Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) has seen an increase in their food pantry use in the last year. HACAP presented their report and funding request to the Washington County Board of Supervisors at their most recent meeting. Renella Crawford with the Washington County HACAP Operations Director gave an update on the use of the food pantry, “Our local food pantry served 483 households during October, November, and December, which was 1,154 individuals. Of those, 28 were new households that have never come to our food pantry before. So, because of the SNAP cuts or not receiving SNAP benefits during that period of time, that increased our number of food boxes that went out.”   

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP and formerly known as food stamps, was halted on November 1st due to the federal government shutdown.  

The annual funding request was also made to the Supervisors in the amount of $120,000 which is the same amount requested as the previous year. The funding goes towards food, housing, heating, and other community support needs. The request will be decided on by the Supervisors at a later budget meeting.