As distributions Corona, that people rely on food assistance struggle to bring food safe

When the food needs Teresa Coleman, she has to leave her apartment complex in Decatur, Georgia, waiting for a bus to reach an agreement with other buyers and hope to drive about 20 minutes of other passengers join that employees help attack all elements can not reach them from his chair motorized wheelchair itself. In normal times, this process is cumbersome. But during the crown pandemic, it is dangerous. Coleman, 56, has both asthma and bronchitis and relies on a wheelchair for mobility, that is, if COVID-19 gets them is seriously ill and to be confronted with major obstacles in a hospital with a risk high. “If you are in business, then you need to be around people,” he says, “and that’s really scary.” E ‘to begin worse for them. As of May 1 Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp picked up the refuge of the State in place order, but advised the elderly and residents “medically fragile” continue as Coleman, on June 12 to rescue But there is only so much Coleman have somehow need to get the food. While many other American order food online or delivery of food are passed during the pandemic, it is not for them in question. It is based that do not allow for the delivery of food in their state on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is known as food stamps to help buy food. The US Department of Agriculture has been working on a pilot program for years, the online SNAP recipients authorized to food, but so far only 12 have been implemented. Now that the crown pandemic remains the country is committed to low-income people to spread, people with disabilities and more Member older Americans are pushing in an attempt to help register and permit the 37 million Americans with SNAP benefits sheltered in the house. Stay up to date on the growing threat to global health, by signing up for our daily newsletter crown. In addition to Americans with disabilities and chronic diseases, such as Coleman, the crown-income areas has been true particularly intense. COVID-19 kills American blacks at a much higher rate than their white counterparts. “And ‘well-documented at this point that the pandemic risks are greater for those groups that are already struggling, were,” says Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “The communities of color, older Americans, families with low incomes, all of these are at greater risk than the general population.” Many of these same groups are disproportionately likely SNAP recipients to be right now. A record 30 million Americans mostly those living in low-income roles have lost their job since March. At least 12.7 million have lost their health services provided by the employer and millions more rely on new charity and donations to access basic needs such as food and medicine. The food pantries served by an organization Waide 30-40% saw more people on food donations educated since the pandemic began, he says, and his colleagues have also seen an increase in SNAP applications. Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington State have so far implemented the on-line purchase program SNAP. but that the Farm Bill 2014 before authorized the USDA online SNAP benefits to participate in exploring and service Food and Nutrition Department selected retailers in 2017 Online SNAP pilot Shopping does not begin until April 2019 Last month, six states plus Washington , DC received approval and expected to begin in May or June after the USDA. At least 14 other states have applied to the pilots to connect, with respect, a disability group that is pushing to expand the program. This list includes Georgia, said to link demand for the program last month, a spokesman for the Department of Family and Child TIME State. The state has, however, to allow a shop with Kroger and Walmart collaboration SNAP recipient or around food for pickup door to door, the application to the USDA online program that is processed, either, and if it is approved, Georgia expected is another need seven to nine weeks to behavioral testing systems and to coordinate before going live. Part of the reason for the long time line requires specific technology on-line pilot. Each state of the updated SNAP system to manage the on-line shopping, and retailers must accept cards as payment in the position of its SNAP electronic benefit transfer (EBT). While the Food and Nutrition Service approved the first eight retailers that currently are part of Amazon, Walmart, right store and Wright market. One USDA study last August found that nearly two-thirds of the authorized dealers do not have systems or devices that could identify the SNAP-enabled products, and that requirements to the Farm Bill meetings between $7,000 and $10,500 could cost the retailer. As the pandemic continued a so-called coalition wrote urging more action on the program, the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Sonny Perdue Minister of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Pam Miller. And the problem has gotten some attention from members of Congress, such as Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar. The subject is one that addresses from a variety of communities lawyer says Janet LaBreck, a member of the board of seriousness that bring attention to the problem of group helped. LaBreck is blind, those online shopping started when the pandemic struck touch superfluous items in order to avoid or at their local store for assistance. But they want SNAP recipients have the same opportunities that she has. The pandemic, he says, provides an opportunity for agencies to review their policies and find ways for more people to help. but for now, work to adapt their programs as States and others are awaiting federal approval are SNAP recipients with limited options left. Martha Lindsay, 75, lives on less than $1,200 per month and is based on a combination of SNAP and help from their local food pantry. While the pantry was “wonderful,” she says, there is always a long line at the supermarket, even if it is for their “elders hour” at 07.00 which is designed to limit customers during the pandemic. order online would be a “blessing,” said Lindsay. “We need to stay safe.” Coleman would also expose themselves to prevent and her family with the virus. Sometimes you can ask her brother for help, but her relatives have to take care of their families. “I’m very independent and I hate asking for help,” he explains. get if they could use their good food delivered meal “would help a lot,” he adds. “I’d be safe.” Please send tips, leads and stories from the front to [email protected].
Picture copyright by Johannes Eisele AFP / Getty Images