By Maya Wilkins | Post-Tribune
Gary residents without November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will soon receive help from the city, Mayor Eddie Melton announced Monday.
Melton announced a local response plan, “Gary SNAPS into Action,” to assist residents who lost SNAP and EBT benefits due to the government shutdown. The city and its partners received $275,500 for food assistance, most of which will go to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.
“The city of Gary’s proactive plan to help feed residents during the government shutdown reflects the compassion and resilience of this community,” Victor Garcia, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, said in a Monday news release. “The food bank and our agency partners are ready to build on our capacity to provide even more nutrition to the community during these challenging times.”
The city received funding through a Community Development Block Grant, Gary Sanitary District, Indiana Water and corporate donors.
In addition to the food bank, a portion of the funding will also be reserved for emergency grants for Gary nonprofits and faith-based organizations and toward the city’s annual Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway, a drive-through event available to any Northwest Indiana residents with a ticket.
The Gary Sanitary District will also forgive current late fees and suspend late fees for the remainder of 2025, according to the city news release.
Melton empathized with Gary residents who are without SNAP benefits.
“This uncertainty isn’t just about paperwork — it’s about whether you can put food on the table for your children. It’s stressful. It’s unfair. And I want you to know this: You are not alone,” Melton said in the Monday news release.” While we are advocating fiercely for a resolution in Washington, we are not waiting for Washington to act. … Recently, the USDA approved for 65% of the funding to be released to the states. But that is not enough, we must mobilize to assist families and special interest groups right now.
A spokesperson for Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration previously told the Post-Tribune that about 600,000 residents are enrolled in SNAP. On Monday, Gov. Mike Braun announced that partial SNAP benefits will be provided to residents, according to Post-Tribune archives.
When funding is restored, the state can “move quickly to deliver full benefits to qualifying households across Indiana as soon as possible,” according to Post-Tribune archives.
The U.S. Senate passed legislation Monday to reopen the government, bringing the longest shutdown in U.S. history closer to an end as a small group of mostly Democrats ratified a deal with Republicans, earning searing criticism from the Democratic Party, according to The Associated Press. But the 41-day shutdown could last a few more days as members of the House, which has been on recess since mid-September, return to Washington to vote on the legislation. The bill lacks any clear resolution to expiring health care subsidies that Democrats have been fighting for as millions of Americans stare down rising insurance premiums. It’s unclear whether the two parties would be able to find any common ground on the subsidies before a promised December vote in the Senate.
On its website, the city of Gary has a food resource list for residents, including two Thanksgiving giveaways and a community dinner. The food resource list also includes information for the food bank, soup kitchens and food pantries.
Melton plans to authorize city staff to volunteer with local and food distribution efforts, according to the news release, and he also encourages residents to help as well.
Affected households can find updates, resources and information on local food assistance on the city’s website, gary.gov.
“The Gary Common Council is united with Mayor Melton to do exactly what local government is called to do — step up for when our families and community is most vulnerable,” Council President Lori Latham, D-1st, said in the Monday news release. “The ‘Gary SNAPS into Action Plan” reflects what happens when public, private, and philanthropic partners come together with urgency and empathy. We’re not just talking about policy — we’re talking about people’s actual lives.”
The Associated Press contributed.