Golden Harvest hosts government leaders to discuss food insecurity
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Food insecurity is a real issue in our community.
In Richmond County, one in four children is food insecure.
That’s according to a new Feeding America study.
On Thursday, Golden Harvest Foodbank played host to city, state and federal leaders as they discussed the need for programs like SNAP, solving food deserts, and steps that need to be taken.
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It’s not just about caring, it’s about community.
Inside the walls of Golden Harvest Food Bank, talks about the future of federal programs are taking place.
Effective November 1, SNAP benefits will no longer come from the federal budget and will solely rely on state funding.
Some local leaders are concerned.
“Cutting SNAP at the federal level, cutting back on the summer eating program, and the summer EBT program at the state level is horrible. Folks are relying on these programs just to feed themselves,” said Jordan Johnson, district 1 commissioner.
One in seven Georgians is food insecure, one in five children. That is unacceptable in a country like ours,” said Dana Craft, executive director, Feeding Georgia.
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Another concern, the ripple effect that Hurricane Helene caused.
People who never needed help now rely on it.
“There is this misconception that food insecurity only impacts a certain type of people, the homeless,” said Matthew Enfinger, neighbor advocate, Golden Harvest Food Bank.
There are worries among this group that cuts could mean a larger impact on the Golden Harvest Food Bank.
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“For every meal that Golden Harvest and the charitable food bank network delivers, SNAP delivers nine, so any cut in the SNAP benefit in Georgia or nationally, the charitable food can’t make that up,” said Craft.
But no one is ready to give up.
“We have to take those efforts a little bit further to the halls of congress and our state government so they know what’s going on the ground here in Augusta and surrounding areas, people are relying on us to deliver, and it is our responsibility to do so,” said Johnson.
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