A Gap in SNAP • Needs & Opportunities

 

As the government shutdown continues, about 40,000 Butler County residents will not receive their monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on Saturday.

This means that a wide array of folks in our community - and in our congregation - will have an even harder time making ends meet this November. But while Washington spins its wheels, the church gets to show up in a sweet way to bear burdens, break bread, and share what we have as any has need.

Need Help?

Benevolence

Grace declares that there's no shame in needing help. If you require financial assistance, our Benevolence Team recently formalized the request process to make asking for (and getting!) help easier and clearer:

Benevolence Request

Local Services

Serve City, New Life Mission, The Open Door Food Pantry, etc. are all anticipating an increase in need. Shared Harvest Foodbank has a list of places in Butler County they support:

Shared Harvest List

General Help

You can also find several lists of resources for food, financial, and other tangible needs here:

Village Help

Want to Help?

Thanks to those who have already offered to support the needs of folks in the church. If you're willing to help, there are a few ways you can:

  • Let an elder know if you know of a need or if you'd be willing to donate, take someone to the grocery, etc. as needs are made known to us.

  • Bring Kroger, Walmart, ALDI, or Meijer gift cards to The 210, and we'll distribute them as needed.

  • Support local food pantries, foodbanks, and meal centers. Check their websites / socials for information about what they need, what they can take, and how to contribute in-kind or financially.

  • Be good neighbors! Check on your people, be generous, and let Jesus be big in your life. As Isaiah put it, we get to offer ourselves in a refreshing way that brings God's strength to weary bones:

If you get rid of the yoke among you, the finger-pointing and malicious speaking, and if you offer yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday. The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose water never runs dry.
-Isaiah 58

 
Scott O'Donohoe