JFS promotes alternatives as SNAP benefits face uncertainty
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Oct. 31, 2025) – Tuscarawas County Job and Family Services officials say they’ve been guiding SNAP food assistance recipients to other sources as the government shutdown could halt future benefits starting this weekend.
JFS Director Veronica Spidell says her agency has been sharing lists of area food banks and pantries at the office and on social media.
Spidell expects to see demand increase on the churches and organizations that operate the pantries and soup kitchens. She encourages helping them, if possible, through monetary donations or by volunteering time.
Spidell says more than $1.7 million dollars in SNAP allotments were issued in Tuscarawas County in the month of September, serving more than 5,600 adults and 3,900 kids.
Spidell says recipients will still be able to use their SNAP cards after today if they have benefits left on them from previous months, but any benefits expected for November won’t be added.
