LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The halt in SNAP funding has impacted a critical lifeline for food for thousands of homeless people on the streets, according to one agency that is working to fill the gap.
FOX5 has told you about the work of HELP of Southern Nevada: the agency works with all jurisdictions from Laughlin to Mesquite, offering the unhoused support, services and shelter.
President and CEO Fuilala Riley explains how social workers connect people with SNAP benefits so the unhoused can get a meal, snack or a drink at local stores. The agency connected 2,470 unhoused people with a range of social services last year.
“77% of those individuals have a disability status. Our unhoused folks that have SNAP benefits are the ones that are accessing grocery stores, the delis, and even our convenience stores that have ready-made meals and things that they can pick up,” Riley tells FOX5.
HELP of Southern Nevada is working to help fill the gap for people with no car and no home– and no way to get to a food distribution center.
“Most of our unhoused don’t have a vehicle. There are quite a few challenges that we’re facing for our unhoused individuals,” Riley said. “You can’t stock up the unhoused with pasta and rice and whatnot. They don’t have a place to cook it.”
Impact on help for homeless youth
A range of government cuts across all levels has recently impacted the Shannon West Homeless Youth Center.
The center is a crucial resource for older teenagers and young adults to escape homelessness. The center accepts people up to 24 years old, helping them complete school and get a job to get off the streets. Due to cuts in funding, the shelter has had to close its third level.
“We made the tough decision to close our third floor. Right now, we’re only operating 94 beds… the goal would be to be able to provide at least those 94 beds to the community,” Riley said.
There are still a number of young adults and teens on a waitlist for services. Some staff have been let go to maintain services for 94 young adults; the team had to halt hot lunches, for now.
“For the 18 to 24-year-olds, as we know, one in 10 are unhoused, and there’s a number of youth on the community queue on the wait list,” Riley said.
Rise in demand for housing help, Thanksgiving meals
More people and families are seeking help to avert homelessness. HELP of Southern Nevada connects people to housing and other rent resources.
“Every Thursday is a walk-in day for our unhoused clients. At the beginning of the year, I think we were averaging 100 folks walking through the door. I would say in the last eight weeks, we’re averaging close to 200,” Riley tells FOX5.
“They’re checking in to see where they are on the housing list and seeing if availability is around for housing units,” Riley said.
There’s also a growing list of families who would like help affording a Thanksgiving meal this year.
How can you help?
HELP of Southern Nevada accepts financial donations to meet the growing needs of our community.
For those who wish to donate food to the unhoused, non-perishable, transportable items are needed, Riley said.
You, your job, or local organization can help families get a Thanksgiving meal this year. Click here for more: Thanksgiving Food Drive Participation
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