Mayor Stephen Jones on Monday called on citizens and community organizations to partner with a city-led effort to help feed people in need during the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has also affected Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients.
Jones, alongside Columbus Police Department Community Liaison Glenda Richardson, announced the “One City, One Purpose – No Empty Tables Left” initiative during a press conference at City Hall.
Through Nov. 21, the city will collect nonperishable food items. That food will be sorted and distributed Nov. 24 on the lower level of Trotter Convention Center to those who have had applications approved through the community outreach department.
Richardson said the drive will also accept monetary donations through United Way of the Golden Triangle Region.
“There are going to be more needs, not just food,” Richardson said. “People are not going to be able to pay light bills, … rent, because when your grocery bill goes up, you’ve got to eat. That means there are other needs that aren’t going to be taken care of.”
Richardson called on every “business, school, civic group and individual” to donate, either at City Hall, Columbus Police Department headquarters or Fire Station 1 (Seventh Street South). Jones said several churches have also agreed to take food donations and bring them to the city for distribution.
Hopefully, Richardson said, enough food will be donated to distribute to individuals and help replenish local food banks.
“The one thing I know about Columbus, we’re a city of heart,” she said. “When it matters, we do come together to help those in need.”
Jones specifically called on churches to help.
“‘I have been young, and now I am old. Yet I have seen the righteous forsaken or their children beg for bread,’” Jones said at the press conference, quoting Psalm 37:25. “… So churches, we need you to come on board.”
Applications to receive food are available through the city’s community outreach department or by calling Richardson at (662) 364-1850.
‘Hunger should never be political’
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent data, about 9,680 residents in Lowndes County were participating in SNAP in 2022.
The Trump Administration initially said SNAP recipients, who are low-income, would not receive benefits in November. But several national media outlets reported Monday that the administration, in response to a court order, would distribute enough United States Department of Agriculture emergency funds to cover half of normal benefits this month.
On Monday, Jones said 13 Transportation Security Administration employees are working at Golden Triangle Regional Airport without pay, and he wasn’t certain how many Columbus Air Force Base or federal prison workers are furloughed or working without pay due to the shutdown.
“Hunger should never be political. It is a moral failure in the wealthiest nation on Earth,” Jones said during the press conference. “Poverty is not a choice, and wealth is not a sign of virtue. If the shutdown hasn’t affected you yet, be thankful. But understand, it could. A sudden change in health, unemployment or an unexpected accident could put any of us in the same position.”
He also called on Congress to end the shutdown, while urging both parties to “turn down rhetoric” and return to the values of “prayer and compromise.”
“We must bring back civility because what we are doing now is not Christ-like,” he said. “… We are in a place where our most vulnerable are at risk because we’ve created an ‘us versus them’ mentality. But charity starts at home. Let’s take care of Columbus.”
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 42 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
