BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong has directed more than $1.5 million in state money to support food assistance programs that aren’t expected to be funded for the month of November because of the federal government shutdown.
“The state of North Dakota has the responsibility and the resources to care for its citizens who face a sudden loss of federal food assistance through no fault of their own,” Armstrong said in a statement obtained by Flag Family News. “Through a combination of state contingency funds and private donations, North Dakota can help meet the nutritional needs of our children and families until Congress passes a temporary funding bill to reopen the federal government. We strongly encourage residents to open their hearts, wallets and food pantries to support their local food banks with cash or food donations and help their fellow North Dakotans in their time of need.”
Armstrong has asked the state’s Department of Health and Human Services to give $915,000 in contingency funds to Great Plains Food Bank which supplies food and helps nearly 200 food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens statewide.
“This allocation of state funds entrusted to our organization will help thousands of North Dakotans keep food on their tables,” Interim CEO and COO of Great Plains Food Bank Kate Molbert said. “We appreciate Gov. Armstrong directing these state resources to equip the Great Plains Food Bank in our mission, and we’re thankful for everyone donating food and dollars to ensure that North Dakotans don’t go hungry during this government shutdown today or in the weeks and months ahead.”
The governor has also directed HHS to use roughly $600,000 in contingency funds to support the Women, Infants and Children program through November. The federal program, which is administered by the state, gives low-income women, infants and children up to age five supplemental food, nutrition education and health care referrals. Armstrong’s office says WIC funding for North Dakota is expected to run out around November 10.
Governor Armstrong said because of a lack of access to program infrastructure, the state can’t fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November. More than 56,000 North Dakotans won’t be able to get new SNAP funding because of the federal government shutdown.
The governor’s office said SNAP payments to eligible households in North Dakota total about $10 million per month.
Click here for more information on Great Pains Food Bank food pantries, here for more information on WIC and here for more information on other assistance programs.
