With funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program scheduled to run out by Nov. 1, Lane County is encouraging residents to donate food or money to Food for Lane County to help residents feed their families.

State officials said earlier this week that funding for the program, known as SNAP, will run out by the end of October because of the partial shutdown of the federal government.  

“The support some of our most vulnerable community members rely on to make ends meet is eroding,” said Eve Gray, Lane County’s health and human services director, in a press release Friday, Oct. 24. “We have an opportunity now as a community who cares for each other to come together and help soften this blow to the health of our people.”

Lane County will set up donation barrels for staff or members of the public to donate at county-owned properties.

While SNAP benefits typically aren’t sufficient to supply all the nutritional needs of a family or individual, they are vital to help ensure that people, especially children, have what they need to eat a balanced diet, the county’s press release said. 

“Food for Lane County is already seeing high numbers of pantry visitors at a time when our food supply has been limited due to federal program cuts,” said Rebecca Sprinson, Food for Lane County’s director of development and communications, in the press release. “We want all Lane County residents to have the food and resources they need to thrive, and we’re very concerned about the welfare of our community if SNAP benefits aren’t available.”

Individuals and families in need of food can use the Food for Lane County Food Finder.

People interested in donating can do so by calling 541-343-2822 or by going to Food for Lane County’s website.