Mecklenburg County to Support Additional Food Resources During Pause of Federal SNAP Benefits

supermarket vegetable store food grocery background

Mecklenburg County government is prepared to devote $740,000 to support food resources that can assist residents who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. SNAP benefits for November are currently suspended due to the federal government shutdown.

Mecklenburg County leaders have met with local community and food resource partners to coordinate assistance to as many of the residents who depend on SNAP as possible. To provide relief to residents who need emergency food assistance, Mecklenburg County is obligating $740,000 in FY2026-approved funding to support multiple efforts.

  • Expand food pantry resources
    • Provide 28,000 additional 7-day food boxes to be distributed by Nourish Up.
    • Secure additional food to maximize all available space at food pantries at Mecklenburg County’s Community Resource Centers.
  • New emergency food assistance
    • Provide $50 food-only gift cards to any resident newly approved for emergency SNAP benefits (about 400 per week).
  • Provide SNAP Double Bucks incentive at local farmers markets
    • Provide special one-time $50 farmers market vouchers to eligible SNAP households (about 2,000 vouchers total).
  • Expand community food distribution
    • Expand mobile market food distribution for SNAP-eligible seniors with additional food supply and service time.
    • Holiday turkey distribution at the Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center on Nov. 22, serving about 1,000 households.
  • Collect emergency food resources
    • Food donation boxes at designated Park and Recreation and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library locations to support local food pantries.
    • NEW online portal for financial donations to benefit Nourish Up: NourishUp.org/Meck-Cares 
       

There are about 138,500 SNAP participants in Mecklenburg County. The federal issuance for SNAP benefits totals about $24 million per month in Mecklenburg County, or about $175 per participant per month. While Mecklenburg County cannot supplement that level of funding, leaders hope these measures will help mitigate the immediate impact while awaiting a resolution at the federal level.

Reminder: Any benefits currently on participants’ EBT cards are still available for use. Participants can check their EBT balance at ebtEDGE.com or by calling the number on the back of their card: 1-888-622-7328.

The suspension of the federal benefits does not affect Mecklenburg County’s ongoing work to determine the eligibility of households and process applications. Therefore, residents can continue to submit SNAP applications and renewals with Mecklenburg County.

Community Resource Centers

Mecklenburg County Community Resource Centers will continue to work with SNAP participants to ensure they have the opportunity to find food and groceries during this period.

Resources in Charlotte-Mecklenburg

Here are resources and trusted partners where SNAP participants can find information about food and pantries, and where other residents can find information about volunteering or supporting financially.

These new efforts are in addition to existing programs that support food and nutrition for Mecklenburg County residents. The Senior Citizens Nutrition Program continues to provide free nutrition, socialization, and wellness activities to hundreds of residents 60 years of age and older. The Senior Citizens Nutrition Program offers congregate meal service for seniors at locations across the county, a home delivered meal service for homebound seniors, and the Mobile Market program which distributes groceries and fresh produce to eligible seniors in their neighborhoods. Mecklenburg County will also increase support for the SNAP/Double Bucks program at designated farmers markets.

For the latest updates on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), developments related to the federal suspension of benefits, and food resources and emergency assistance in Mecklenburg County, visit MeckNC.gov.