Superior Mayor Proposes Emergency Fund Plan During SNAP Pause

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The loss of SNAP funding because of the federal government shutdown has Superior Mayor Jim Paine proposing a plan to help residents who rely on the food-assistance program.

With the city council’s approval, Mayor Paine wants to create a new $200,000 emergency fund.

That money would come from the city’s Economic Development Fund and be used to help organizations that directly assist locals, like food shelves and non-profits. The emergency fund would last until the end of the fiscal year.

“This is a grant program designed to meet a very specific need,” the mayor said. “If SNAP benefits, food-assistance benefits run out as early as Saturday (Nov. 1), it could create a very significant food crisis for many families in Superior which could cause a run on food shelves and make it hard for them to meet the need.”

Mayor Paine says no matter what the future holds for SNAP, the city is going to do everything it can to help the citizens.

“This is a working-class community, and most of us have needed help at some point to get by,” said Paine.

“A community like ours will only ever succeed with people helping each other, so yes, their city government is going to step in your city. Government is going to step in and be part of the solution, but we need every citizen to help be part of that solution as well.”

If there is any money left over from the emergency fund, Mayor Paine says it will return to the Economic Development Fund.