The Salt River Food Bank and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community partners are picking up slack in a major way, providing additional food for Community members on a few occasions after Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were paused by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in October.

SNAP funding to 42 million low-income individuals nationwide, and as many as 500,000 tribal citizens, was threatened and delayed due to the government shutdown on Oct. 1. After back-and-forth court rulings denying and approving benefits well into the second week of November, the shutdown ended on Nov. 12 and full funding was restored to the USDA.

Assistant Community Manager Lena Jackson and Social Services Director Stephen Hudson played a major role in keeping Council updated on the situation, according to Social Services manager Winterelk Valencia.

With the uncertainty that a record-breaking 43-day federal government shutdown brings, Community leadership took no chances waiting for a resolution. They took action.

On Nov. 12, staff from the Salt River Fire Department’s Community Risk Reduction and Emergency Management divisions drove to Walmart Supercenter #2112 on Community land to load up food into two cargo vans borrowed from Salt River Transportation’s fleet inventory, which took two trips.

Regional Walmart distribution centers in Casa Grande and Buckeye delivered the items to the store to be picked up.

Walmart became involved in the effort after a conversation that SRPMIC Emergency Manager Chuck Kmet had with their store manager about what the Community was wanting to accomplish for families who rely on SNAP benefits. 

“From the Council’s Strategic Priority A – Food Storage & Preparedness, we knew that Walmart was going to be a partner in the Community that we would leverage in times of crisis,” said Kmet.

“From initial conversations with the Emergency Management staff at Walmart Corporate in Arkansas, I was told that local store managers of Walmart have a lot of autonomy when it comes to local assistance within the communities that they serve.” 

Funds for the donation came out of the Food Bank’s annual budget. The Community purchased the food at retail cost minus taxes.

Walmart staff assisted in loading up the goods and brought empty boxes to fill at the Food Bank. They also helped the Food Bank to figure out appropriate quantities of food and the correct macronutrients to achieve as balanced a diet as possible for Community members.

Food Bank staff and on-duty fire crews from Station 291 helped unload the food. Food Bank staff handled the workload from there.

“We were like Instacart on steroids!” said Kmet.

Valencia said that this event, although unfortunate that it had to occur, allowed for collaboration and partnerships to be formed and strengthened.

“Chuck’s help should not go unnoticed, as he helped secure the food which also opened the door of partnership with Walmart,” noted Valencia.

“Food Bank coordinator Helena Garza was key in providing a final list of nutritious items, volume and distribution.”

The Salt River Business Owners Association (SRBOA) also acted quickly in October as a response to the temporary withholding of SNAP benefits. On Oct. 28, SRBOA members presented a check to the Food Bank in the amount of $6,000 to supplement donations, which will be used to distribute food to Community members throughout the year. Valencia said that SRBOA also helped with a recent food and clothing drive. 

Valencia also noted that the casinos will be supporting the Food Bank soon with another food and clothing drive.

“We are also able to help Via Linda Behavioral Hospital with clothing donations,” said Valencia.

“There is a lot happening this season. Thanks be to God for His provision through donations and partnerships.”