Gov. Bill Lee announced on Tuesday that Tennessee will allocate $5 million in state funds to food banks to help people facing delays in governmental food assistance.
As the government shutdown goes on, Lee said he is “grateful to non-profit partners serving Tennesseans in their time of need.”
The governor added that the $5 million will be determined “based on SNAP populations in each region.”
Last week, the federal government stopped issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to Americans due to the ongoing government shutdown.
The Trump administration said on Monday it would provide partial SNAP benefits after two judges ruled that it must continue funding the program.
According to the White House Council of Economic Advisers, the delays in SNAP benefits are affecting an estimated 691,000 Tennesseans, including 268,000 children.
Lee thanked the Trump administration for delivering “some relief for the most vulnerable Tennesseans.” However, he noted that the only proper way to ensure people receive their full benefits is for the federal government to reopen.
Last week, Lee created feedtn.org with the help of hundreds of community and faith organizations to help Tennesseans affected by the SNAP benefit delays.
The website will help people find local food distribution and volunteer opportunities, locate vetted community partners to donate food or provide financial assistance to, and access communication assets to help houses of worship and organizations notify their communities.
When Lee announced the website’s launch, he said Democrats can allow Tennesseans to receive SNAP benefits if they vote to reopen the federal government.
“I’m grateful to the nonprofit and faith-based partners who are stepping up to fill the gap, and sincerely hope that Democrats choose to reopen the federal government – not only to serve SNAP recipients, but also the millions of Tennesseans who are forced to pay the consequences of their disappointing failure,” he noted.
Tuesday marks the 35th day of the government shutdown, tying the record for the longest government shutdown in American history. The first 35-day shutdown occurred during President Donald Trump’s first term, from 2018 to 2019.
The Senate has voted 14 times against reopening the government by passing a continuing resolution.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at zschmidt1717@gmail.com.|
