ROCKINGHAM- Hurricane Florence brought much destruction to North and South Carolina, leaving many residents facing food shortages as a result of power outages ruining refrigerated and frozen items.
On September 28, Governor Roy Cooper declared Richmond County open for Disaster Food and Nutrition Benefits (D-SNAP).
Richmond County Social Services Director Robby Hall recently updated the County Commissioners on the program which runs through this Saturday.
According to Hall, the D-SNAP program will is running a total of eight days (September 28 – October 6) including Saturdays.
As of October 1, DSS had processed 3,906 applications and provided approximately $1,349,208 in benefits for citizens who have experienced economic hardship due to the hurricane. The average benefit per household of three is $504.00.
Additional disbursements for Mass Replacements for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) and Mass Supplemental Issuances have brought the total benefits for Richmond County to date to $2,848,976.
According to Hall, “The staff, health agency, Aging services, DSS, IT, Maintenance, the Sheriff’s Department and Area Richmond Transportation (ART) are helping, with everyone working very hard into the night and on Sundays to get the services out for our citizens.”
Hall noted that the staff has worked long hours (12-14 hour days) on short notice and kept a positive attitude even when falling asleep on their feet.
Hall also thanked the citizens in his report saying, “(their) patience and sense of humor made the experience a time of community building.”
During a typical month the agency processes approximately 3,800 people through their lobby. In the first 3 days of the disaster services they had assisted 3,906 people with 5 days remaining for enrollment in the services at the time of the report.
The service will remain open through this Saturday October 6.
To apply for the benefit come by the Department of Social Services Office at 107 Caroline Street in Rockingham.
The hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
