The Riverside City Council on Tuesday voted 5-0 approving $100,000 to assist Riverside residents experiencing a lapse in food aid because of the federal government shutdown.
The city’s agreement with the Salvation Army aims to ensure food aid recipients are eligible for the program and live in Riverside.
The shutdown has resulted in the U.S. Department of Agriculture first completely halting food assistance payments to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Then after courts intervened, the USDA announced partial payments that Riverside officials expect to be made this month. City officials said the $100,000 reallocation is designed to stabilize households facing temporary income disruptions and make sure that essential food resources stay available.
SNAP assists 46,649 Riverside residents, including 16,100 age 17 and younger, 21,627 ages 18-59 and 8,922 age 60 and up.
“From low-income residents to members of our military, there are suddenly thousands of Riverside residents who now are in danger of going hungry,” Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Conder said in a statement. “This program is designed to supplement their nutritional needs until a broader solution can be worked out at the federal level.”
The $100,000 will be reallocated from the Senior Supplemental Rental Assistance Program, which currently has a balance over $525,000, officials said.
“The funding shift is not expected to affect seniors who need rental assistance because necessary funds are available in similar programs” including the city’s HOME Investment Partnerships – Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program, officials said.
City personnel will work with the Salvation Army Emergency Food Access Program to help Riverside residents enrolled in SNAP and to federal employees experiencing financial shortfalls as a result of by the government shutdown. City officials estimated 500 to 700 households will receive food assistance.
The emergency program was put together quickly by the city’s Department of Housing and Human Services, with assistance from several other departments, officials said.
“Because of the emerging need, the City Council first had to vote to waive the city’s Sunshine Ordinance to allow the item to be discussed (Tuesday),” according to the statement.
The Salvation Army is tasked with verifying that food aid only goes to Riverside residents and will require proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, housing lease or utility bill, according to the city. SNAP participants must show a current beneficiary letter. Shutdown-affected government workers must show a federal or military identification card.
Riverside Public Utilities has established assistance programs to help people struggling with utility bills. The Sharing Households Assist Riverside Energy Program provides monthly bill credits and emergency assistance to people at risk of having their water, electricity or natural gas shut off.
Customers also may be able to establish a repayment plan to pay outstanding balances over 12 months or receive a one-time short-term payment extension, officials said.
The city’s website has information on food resources.
