With ongoing uncertainty regarding the disbursement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, several entities on Whidbey are taking matters into their own hands.

This week, Island County commissioners approved $54,000 in grants for food banks and meal program partners, helping them stock shelves and cover immediate costs.

A federal court review from last week determined that partial SNAP benefits will be paid in November, but it is expected to be about 50% less than the usual amount. As Public Health Director Shawn Morris explained to the commissioners, it’s not known the exact day this month that those payments will arrive.

On Thursday, a judge ruled that the Trump administration must restore the benefits by 100%, but as of press time, that has not yet happened.

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