In this time of uncertainty regarding government funding, many supporters of Southeast Linn Community Center have reached out with concerns about impacts on the organization. While we do not receive any direct federal funding we do benefit from funded programs through our partner organizations. Essential services such as Meals on Wheels and USDA food for our food pantry depend on government support. Changes to these programs would directly impact our services. Proposed cuts to assistance programs such as SNAP would severely harm the neighbors we serve.

One of those crucial services feeds our senior neighbors. Horizons provides the meals we deliver to Meals on Wheels clients and serve at Linn Lunch Bunch. Last fiscal year we distributed 6,033 meals to seniors in Lisbon and Mount Vernon. If federal funding for those meals ends we would need an additional $54,000 to continue the service. That would be over 25% of our annual budget. Another federal program is the USDA food that we receive for free from our food bank, HACAP. This is our best source of protein and dairy for the food pantry. Without this food we would struggle to provide healthy food options to our neighbors.

The uncertainty and fear of losing essential supports falls especially heavy on those who are already struggling. Iowa is in a hunger crisis. Here at home, over 10% of the Mount Vernon Lisbon community uses the food pantry. While pantry services are important, SNAP (formerly food stamps) is the most efficient and effective tool for fighting hunger.

We’re particularly concerned with the proposed legislation at both the state and federal levels that would significantly cut SNAP benefits. Over the last few years in Iowa, we’ve clearly seen that cuts to SNAP directly correlate with much higher reliance on food pantry services. While SNAP participation in Iowa is at a 17-year low, our costs to stock the shelves at the pantry have increased 645% over the last five years. If SNAP or other assistance programs see additional cuts or restrictions during this hunger crisis, the strain on the food pantry system will be enormous.

Our organization is determined to continue all of our programs and services no matter what challenges may come. In many ways, these last few weeks have reminded us of March 2020. The uncertainty, the difficulty of finding reliable information, and the constant fear make every day difficult. However, in 2020 we saw our community rise up in support and find new ways to care for our neighbors.

We are grateful to be a part of such a generous community. Year after year, our largest source of financial support is donations from individuals right here in Mount Vernon and Lisbon. My hope is that today’s challenges will lead to even greater empathy and a stronger support system here in our wonderful community.