-The political chatter surrounding the government shutdown and cuts in benefits has been discouraging for many area residents who qualify for food and other benefits.
The people in charge of trying to make sure that everyone in Windham County has food have a message for them.
"Don't get discouraged," Sue Graff, the Agency of Human Services food service director for the region, advised county residents who qualify for food and other assistance. "Make sure you apply for these programs."
The Windham Region Food Security Network met last week to discuss how to make sure people are fed despite efforts by the Trump administration to cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown and plans to cut social services in general.
Those who make up the network represent area food shelves, school nutrition programs, and state social agencies. In addition to Graff, the group included co-chairs Susan Grabowski, the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union food program director, and Hannah Pick, executive director of the Putney Foodshelf.
Graff said that on Nov. 7, Vermonters received half of their normal 3SquaresVT payments, with the state making those payments from its own funds. 3SquaresVt is the state program that distributes federal SNAP funds.
With the federal government shutdown ending a week later on Nov. 14, Graff said at the meeting that it was still up in the air what the federal government would do about the November SNAP payments and whether the state will be reimbursed for funding paid to 38,000 3SquaresVT recipients during the impasse.
With the Trump administration in a punitive mood, Graff noted that Vermont "doesn't expect to get reimbursed" for its 3SquaresVT payments.
With the U.S. House of Representatives back in session, some of those questions have been answered.
SNAP has been fully funded through September 2026. SNAP payments for November have also been fully funded, so Vermonters will be receiving their full benefit in addition to the half payment the state made.
Graff also noted that "the EBT [electronic benefit transfer] cards are working. Prior benefits are still on the cards."
"People need to find where they can get food in their local community," Graff said, noting that Vermont is trying to merge its 10 Food Service Networks (FSNs). There is adequate staffing for only seven.
To that end, Pick said it might be better for Windham County "to look west instead of north" and connect with food services in Bennington County as opposed to those in the upper Connecticut River Valley.
How those mergers will proceed remains to be seen. Grabowski said that some of the FSNs are open to merging, while others are unsure about taking that step.
Network members said that they have seen increased demand from area food shelves and food services. Grabowski said that the WSESU has definitely seen "increased participation in both breakfast and lunch programs" in the district schools.
"There is a lot of [food] uncertainty right now," Grabowski said. "And the students are feeling it, too. Students are hungry."
Graff said that her department "will do everything that we can do at the state and regional level to do what needs to be done" to make sure that Vermonters have enough to eat.
People can call the state's 211 help line for getting access to health and human services, and the public should be aware of all the local food sources that can help those who can't afford nourishment.
There are food shelves in Springfield, Bellows Falls, Putney, and Brattleboro. In addition to that, area churches and citizens groups have also been making food available.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many area organizations and groups will be offering free meals, Grabowski said, including one at Landmark College's Alumni Hall in Putney from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22.
The Vermont Foodbank maintains a list of food shelves and free meal sites across Vermont at vtfoodbank.org/findafoodshelf.
This News item by Robert F. Smith was written for The Commons.