Government Shutdown Changing FoodShare Benefit Process

The Door County Department of Health and Human Services reports that due to the partial federal government shutdown, current FoodShare recipients will have their February FoodShare benefits put on their QUEST electronic benefits cards earlier than usual. The amount will be the normal February monthly benefit amount. FoodShare benefits will not be put on QUEST cards in February, so FoodShare members are advised to budget and plan accordingly. In the event that the government shutdown is not resolved before the end of February, the status of March FoodShare benefits is unclear at this time. We could potentially have about 1,000 Door County households (approximately 2,000 individuals) without access to funds to purchase food. This comes during the most difficult time of year for our tourism-based economy.

Help our neighbors by donating to community food pantries: Lakeshore CAP, 131 S. Third Ave., PO Box 791, Sturgeon Bay, 920.743.0192 (cash donations are preferred because they can buy food at a greatly reduced rate); Feed My People, 204 N. 14th Ave., Sturgeon Bay, 920.743.9053; First Baptist Church of Sister Bay, 954 S. Bay Shore Drive, 920.854.2544; Holy Name of Mary Parish, 7491 Cty H, Maplewood, 920.856.6440; Stella Maris Parish, 4019 Hwy 42, Fish Creek; Door of Life Christian Church, 2731 Hwy 42, Sister Bay, 920.421.1253; Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church, 11836 Hwy 42, Ellison Bay, 920.854.2988.