Tribe declares emergency, offers aid to SNAP recipients

By Nicole Montesano and Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals staff

Tribal Council declared a state of emergency Wednesday, Nov. 5, due to the federal government shutdown and loss of benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program.

“The lack of such benefits will significantly increase hunger, food insecurity, health and safety concerns for our families in need, including children, Elders and individuals with disabilities,” Tribal Council Secretary Jon A. George read from a prepared statement. “It is important for the Tribe to take extra care in looking out for our Elders and family members during their time of need.”

The declaration follows other Oregon Tribes such as Siltez, Klamath and Umatilla, who all passed similar measures.

The state of emergency will be terminated when federal benefits are reinstated.

The council also approved emergency food assistance for Tribal member individuals and households who have been affected by the delay of SNAP benefits. Individuals are eligible to receive a one-time payment of $150 and households with two or more people will receive $400. Applications will be available at www.grandronde.org starting at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7 and at the Tribe’s Social Services Department. Applications close at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24. Applicants must be able to provide verification of SNAP benefits.

On Thursday, Nov. 6, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announced that she had directed the Oregon Department of Human Services to distribute $1 million in emergency assistance to the nine federally recognized Tribes in the state to help address food security.

The press release said the money was “part of a broader effort that also includes $5 million in state-directed funding to the Oregon Food Bank statewide network.”

It said the ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management would send grant agreements to each Tribal emergency manager and social services director no later than Friday, Nov. 7, to “expedite the release of funds and provide flexibility for each Tribal government to determine how best to use the resources to support their communities.” 

At the local level, there are food drives being held at the Tribal campus and the Culture Committee plans to hold a canned food drive and a “Fill the Boot” event during the Restoration Powwow Saturday, Nov. 22. Proceeds will be used to purchase food for the Grand Ronde Food Bank – iskam mǝkʰmǝk-haws.

Youth Empowerment is offering Soup for the Soul at Chachalu Tribal Museum & Cultural Center from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 15. All are welcome, an event flyer stated, noting that it “especially hopes to nourish those feeling the impact of recent SNAP benefit delays. Join us for a warm meal, good company and community connection.”

The Tribe is offering hot soup and meals in a bag for Tribal member families on two upcoming occasions at the Cheryle A. Kennedy Public Health Building. There will be limited supply available from noon to 2 p.m.

On Tuesday, Nov. 25, families may pick up to-go loaded potato soup and a Thanksgiving meal in a bag.

On Tuesday, Dec. 16, families may pick up to-go taco soup, and a meal in a bag featuring white chicken chili.

In Willamina, Wildwood Hotel, Lounge and Restaurant, owned by a Tribal member family, is offering free meal tickets to those in need. The restaurant is located at 150 N.E. Main St.

Statewide, the Oregon Farmers Market Fund is launching “Emergency Double Up Food Bucks.” It will allow people with Oregon Trail cards to get up to $20 to spend on local produce at participating Double Up famers markets and farm stands, through Sunday, Nov. 30, or until all Oregon SNAP recipients’ funds have been distributed for November, whichever comes first.

Participants must bring an Oregon Trail card to participating farmers markets and food stands. The market will swipe the card for $1 and match it with $20 to spend on fruits, vegetables, dried beans and fresh herbs. The cap for matching funds is $20 per market visit.

At participating farm stands, people may use their Oregon Trail card to purchase up to $20 worth of fruits, vegetables, dried beans and fresh herbs at that farm stand, per visit. If you have SNAP benefits on your card, you can still shop with those and receive a 50% discount on eligible items, in addition to the $20 match.

Participating markets and farm stands:

Portland Area: Beaverton Farmers Market, Hood River Farmers Market, Hillsdale Farmers Market, Hollywood Farmers Market, Montavilla Farmers Market, Oregon City Farmers Market, People’s Farmers’ Market, Portland Farmers Market at PSU, King, Lents, St. Johns Farmers Market;

Southern Coast: Brookings Harbor Farmers Markets ( Saturday and Wednesday);

Southern Oregon: Canyonville Farmers Market, Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market, Grants Pass Growers Market; Umpqua Valley Farmers Market;

Willamette Valley: Corvallis Albany Farmers Markets, Lane County Farmers Market, Silverton Farmers Market, Westfir Oakridge Community Farmers Market;

Coast: Newport Farmers Market.

Emergency Double Up participating farm stands:

Portland Area : Sun Gold Farm;

Coast: Clatskanie Food Hub;

Southern Oregon: Fry Family Farm Store, Whistling Duck Farm Store, Josephine County Farm Collective – Tuesday Farm Stand;

Willamette Valley: Oso Honey Farm, Lucky Crow Farm (Online), Lilliputopia Farm, Flicker & Fir (Online), Gathering Together Farm;

Central Oregon: Rainshadow Organics Farm Store.