As Arkansas continues to brace for the mass effects of the government shutdown, your Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church is creating space for conversations, collaborations, learning, and prayer so we can continue addressing food insecurity and offering childcare ministry to thousands of families in Arkansas.
As of October 30, the government has said that no federal funds will be available to support the SNAP feeding program. The ARUMC 200,000 More Reasons feeding/literacy initiative Project Coordinator, Samantha Menley, organized a Zoom call with Bishop Merrill, District Superintendents, Connectional Ministry Chairs, Arkansas Food Bank reps, and local volunteers from some of our United Methodist feeding ministries across the state. This gathering allowed everyone to hear from various “boots on the ground” volunteers and better understand their needs and ideas, not to mention their anxiety about the food crisis ahead.
Sherri Jones and Lucee Lugo from the Arkansas Food Bank shared updates regarding the threat of no SNAP benefits in November:
- Over 300,000 Arkansans will not have this food assistance available to them in November.
- Pulaski County is estimating that 33,000 individuals will be affected there.
- Washington County in Northwest Arkansas will have 40,000 people affected there.
- Craighead County in Northeast Arkansas will have about 22,000 people affected there.
A few tips that developed from this conversation are as follows:
- Consider adding security for the expected traffic increase and long lines at food pantries. Especially in more urban areas, there may be a need to help direct traffic.
- Consider fundraising to help cover the increased costs of serving more neighbors at our pantries. Making it easy for people to donate to our pantries is key. The ARUMC will provide a fundraising toolkit developed by the Arkansas Food Bank very soon.
- SNAP benefits are usually delivered to families through the 4th – 13th of each month. Expect these times to be very busy at local pantries. Especially in more concentrated population areas.
- We will share a printable resource you can post outside your building listing other food pantries in your area. COMING VERY SOON!
- Overcommunicate your days and hours of operation on your website and social media, and consider signage in the yard of your pantry.
- Be prepared for more neighbors to visit your food pantry. Train more volunteers if possible. Make sure that volunteers know that this is a time when they will be facing very anxious friends and will need to offer immense grace and love. We heard stories about how people are asking for hugs and prayers more than ever. Make sure all volunteers know they are to provide a calm, safe space during this anxious time.
- Consider pulling back on food-select options. Due to the increased number of visitors to your pantry, consider pre-made bags or boxes of food to speed up distribution.
- Items always needed: hygiene items, meat, pop-top cans of fruit/vegetables/soup, fresh fruit, and can openers.
- Do not try to recreate the wheel. If your church does not have a feeding ministry, consider supporting another pantry in your area with funds and volunteering.
A recording of the conversation will be shared soon, for pastors and volunteers to share with their volunteer teams.
On November 5 at noon, Rev. Brittany Watson, ARUMC Age Level Discipleship Coordinator, and Kris Mickna, ARUMC Childcare Liaison and Director of Early Learning at Central UMC in Rogers, are hosting a Zoom call with all United Methodist weekday childcare leaders and pastors to discuss the current realities they are facing due to the drop in federal funding for our low-income families.
“As communities of faith, we are called to care for our youngest disciples, and many of our congregations offer this care through childcare facilities. Changes in funding over the last month have caused a lot of anxiety and fear for those tasked with leading these communities. In response to this reality, we will be gathering to pray for the children and families of Arkansas, to lift up those providing care in challenging times, and to share encouragement and practical support as we face funding cuts that impact early childhood programs across our state,” shared Watson.
If you would like to attend this Zoom call to listen, learn, and provide support, the Zoom link is found here:
https://arumc.zoom.us/j/82060908357?pwd=t5384PDmy3mzTU8hZX2VvLZVaaw8uH.1
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and ARUMC Advocacy for Food Insecurity Training Video may be found here.