State of Arizona launches program to help SNAP recipients
MESA, Ariz. (NBC, KYMA) - A farmer's market in Mesa, Arizona is hoping the state's Food Bucks Now program will make up the difference for the SNAP recipients whose benefits are in doubt.
Monday, November 3, marked the first day of Food Bucks Now, a program that gives each SNAP recipient $40 to try and make up for the benefits that did not go out that day.
At Superstition Ranch Market in Mesa, the lines at every register stretched down the aisles.
At Burton Barr Central Library, the lines were even longer for the Farm Express, a bus full of produce that parks at spots around the Valley. They're taking Food Now Bucks as well.
"Everything, every little bit counts, you know," said one shopper.
It is a lifeline for a lot of people.
"I was starting to worry about it. There's a lot of talk about it, you know," the shopper said.
"Today is our first day back on the road since SNAP wasn't funded on people's cards, and we have been overwhelmed with community need," said Elyse Guidas with Activate Food Arizona.
At another location in Laveen, Diana Garcia Gomez didn't know what she was going to do when her SNAP benefits didn't come.
"It's gone. We've been over the board right now with everything that's going on. It's crazy," Gomez expressed.
$40 got her a couple of bags of fresh produce.
"I was just panicked. But when I saw this, it does help," Gomez explained.
"Our overwhelming majority have been food bucks so far," Guidas said.
The problem is Food Bucks Now was only funded with $300,000. At $40 a pop, that's only 7,500 people.
"At this rate, I think Wednesday will probably run out Wednesday at this, with today, tomorrow, yeah probably Wednesday," said TJ McCuin, owner of Superstition Ranch Market, who said he wishes there was more. "Well, it's something to start with and hopefully by Wednesday they'll have something else. Maybe some more money opened up and we can keep it going or we'll see what happens."
To learn more about the Food Bucks Now Program, click here.
