SNAP Shutdown support

Many families are losing SNAP and WIC benefits because of the federal government shutdown. If you are unfamiliar with these programs, they provide food assistance (you may know them as food stamps or EBT) for qualified families. Current federal projections anticipate not being able to support these programs for at least November and possibly December.  

To continue feeding those in need, the SC governor has released emergency funds from the "SC First Fund," a state emergency fund, to stock food banks. However, it will take until mid-December for these funds to stock the food banks and the banks are already at critical shortage, currently being only 23% full.

Embark has working families, seniors, and disabled individuals who depend on SNAP and WIC to feed themselves.  We want to make sure no one in our Embark family goes without food.

To address this problem, Embark is assisting families in need of food support for the next two months. We will be using the "Adopt-a-Family" model, which will be explained in the next section.

Here is what we are NOT doing to address this problem. We are not:
* Collecting canned goods, storing food, or becoming a food pantry for food distribution at the church building. 
* Providing financial aid.  
* Providing unlimited food support for an indefinite period of time.

This is a temporary, supplemental solution designed to "bridge the gap" until benefits resume or food pantries are able to adequately support individuals and families.

This support is for:

• Embark members only, not those outside of the Embark congregation or Orangeburg County.  
• Those who are currently receiving SNAP/WIC support and are directly affected by this shutdown.
• We are providing food assistance only. We are not providing ongoing bill or other financial assistance.

Priority goes to:

• Families with young children
• Senior adults
• Members with disabilities

The "Adopt a Family" model works like this:

• This system provides support for 2 weeks at a time.
• Families who need help can request support by filling out a request form. If an "in-need" family needs support for any additional 2 weeks, they simply re-submit the form.
• Families who want to support "in-need" families fill out a support form. If a supporting family wants to continue helping for more than 2 weeks, simply re-submit the form.
• Jeremy Woods, our outreach coordinator, will pair, at a minimum, 3 supporting families for every 1 "in-need" family. This allows us to pool resources among several families to ensure it does not become a financial burden for supporting families.
• Supporting families can provide groceries, grocery gift cards, ready-made meals, a check, or give online for 12 meals and coordinate a drop-off with Jeremy.

Each supporting family should plan to provide about 12 meals—roughly $100 worth of groceries—for a two-week period. This includes:

• 4 breakfasts
• 4 lunches
• 4 dinners

If you need a grocery list / meal ideas, click this link: GROCERY LIST / MEAL IDEAS

Click the button below and fill out the form.

Click the button below and fill out the form.