Missouri governor to spend millions on food programs amid federal government shutdown
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -
Gov. Mike Kehoe said the state will spend more than $15 million to cover some food programs as the federal government shutdown continues.
Kehoe said in a news release on Wednesday that he would redirect money toward two programs aimed to help feed people in the state. The state plans to spend $10.6 million on the Missouri Area Agencies on Aging. Kehoe said the programs "will be critical" in giving meals to seniors. Money will come from its Senior Services Growth and Development Fund.
The state will also spend $5 million from its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund to send to state food banks. Kehoe's office said the state moved up the payment to food banks, which was supposed to happen later this year.
The release did not say how much each food bank might receive.
In a statement to ABC 17 News the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri said: “We appreciate the Governor expediting the release of TANF funds to Missouri food banks and his recognition of the important role food banks play in supporting Missouri families. Our network will continue to stretch every resource and dollar to meet the growing need in our area.”
Hundreds of thousands of Missourians will not receive their monthly benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in November due to the ongoing government shutdown. Kehoe once again laid the blame on politicians in the Democratic Party, calling it a "Democrat-led federal government shutdown" in his news release.
Missouri House Minority Leader Doug Beck posted on "X" Wednesday evening and said, "Missouri issued $131.5 million in SNAP benefits last month. The governor's hollow gesture today of -$15 million won't even cover a week. We need real solutions. Not Washington-style stunts that don't fix anything."
In a text message to ABC 17 News Wednesday State Rep. David Tyson-Smith (D-Columbia) said: "It's great that he has decided to do something. However if he hadn't decided to cut capital gains taxes for the rich, we could have done a lot more."
Local groups have also been making changes to help those at risk of losing SNAP benefits. The Boone County Commission on Tuesday voted to send $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act money to the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri. Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe told ABC 17 News that the city would soon do the same. Meals on Wheels Columbia launched a sign-up for SNAP recipients to get seven free meals a week - a program the organization said it already reached capacity on.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said earlier today that benefits under the Women, Infants and Children program would remain intact for November.
