State Program Brings New Distribution Effort to Uphold Loss of SNAP Benefits

In an update to last week's newsletter article, there is new information to report on the distribution of funding to help with food costs for Virginia's individuals and families on low incomes.

On Tuesday (October 28th), Governor Youngkin announced that a new State program, VENA (Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance), would be implemented to cover funding currently unavailable through SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). With the shutdown of the Federal Government, all federal SNAP funding is on hold. Virginia is one of the states responding to this situation with an alternative. You can read more about the implementation of the VENA program here.

The Governor has stated that funding through VENA will be available to cover all of November. It is unclear as of this writing how long funding will be available. If the Federal Government remains shut down and State funds for VENA are depleted, The Arc of Hanover's Emergency SNAP Replacement Funding Program will become an option for Hanover County disability self-advocates and their families who usually receive SNAP benefits.

"...Before launching this program, we will ensure that our efforts do not overlap with or duplicate the actions of Governor Youngkin and the State of Virginia," said Stacey Murrell, President of The Arc of Hanover, in an Email to the Board, staff and volunteers this week. "Coordination and clarity will be key to ensuring resources are deployed efficiently and responsibly."

We will release specific details of that program in a subsequent announcement but only if the situation warrants. Meantime, on our website, we have shared a document prepared by the Hanover Churches Network -- of which we are a part -- with local organizations that have connections to food resources: http://www.thearcofhanover.org/resources.

On another front, Hanover DASH has also been affected by the shutdown of the Federal Government. Per Hanover County Government's website today (Thursday), "Hanover County will provide temporary funding to continue Hanover DASH, a transportation service for older adults and residents with disabilities, through November. However, if the shutdown continues beyond Dec. 1, DASH operations will be suspended." The Arc of Hanover is continuing to monitor developments with this situation as well.

If you have other questions related to recent changes or to food insecurity, contact Diane Gallegos, Executive Director-Mission at diane@thearcofhanover.org, or call 804-798-2400 (PRESS 1).

If you would like to advocate on behalf of disability self-advocates and families, The Arc of Virginia has provided the following link to connect with our legislators: Take Action: No One Should Go Hungry!

*Graphics courtesy of The Arc of Virginia.

Mentors needed for our visiting students

We continue to need mentors for our students with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are training in our building. Days and times are variable. Would you have at least an hour to give once a week so someone could learn skills with their teacher under your encouragement? If you are a background-cleared volunteer, please contact Leigh Rooke to make arrangements.