“Our community always comes through for each other.”

That was my answer when Ange Humphrey asked me this week about the federal government’s announcement that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November would not go out this weekend if the government remains shut down. And I truly believe it.

I’ve spent a fair amount of the past week talking about what happens if SNAP benefits aren’t paid out next week. The cold, hard reality is that, in Evansville, that would mean that more than 9,500 households - about 15,600 people, or 13% of our population - wouldn’t receive the funds they count on to feed themselves and their families. We estimate that comes out to about $3.7 million not coming into our community, which would not only strain 9,500 household budgets, but also would be money not going to our local grocery stores, food pantries, and small businesses. It would be a hit to our city’s economy.

I’ve been heartened by the number of people who have reached out to our office to ask how they can help. We’re fortunate to have a number of dedicated community partners dedicated to this cause - organizations like FEED Evansville, the Tri-State Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Young & Established, and many others all hold seats on the Evansville Vanderburgh Commission on Food Security. My office has been working alongside them to try and close as much of that gap as possible.

On the city side, I am asking the Evansville City Council to allocate $500,000 from CDBG and American Rescue Plan Act interest funds - to help bolster local food relief efforts. And to help relieve household budgetary strain, I have reached out to the Evansville Water Sewer Utility to request that all residential shutoffs and late fees be temporarily suspended. This request will have to be approved by the Evansville Water Sewer Utility Board.

I also have sent a letter to Governor Mike Braun, requesting that he declare a State of Emergency in Indiana if there is a pause SNAP benefits. This declaration would ensure a unified statewide response, allowing for the mobilization of additional resources to food banks, emergency shelters, and community organizations across Indiana. It would also signal that our state recognizes the seriousness of this crisis and stands ready to protect the health and well-being of our most vulnerable residents.

To see all of the other ways our community is rallying, and to learn how you can help, please visit FeedEvansville.com or Tri-State Food Bank. I know our community will come through this. We are resilient and have come through tough times before.

This week, my office also:

• Began planning for winter weather: On Wednesday, my office met with the Emergency. Management Agency, Central Dispatch, Feed Evansville, the Red Cross, and the United Way to prepare for winter weather. Together, we’re identifying warming centers overnight shelters, and emergency protocols to ensure residents have access to food, shelter, and heat during severe conditions.
• Received an update on Riverside Drive: The Evansville Water Sewer Utility had targeted “around the end of October” to reopen portions of Riverside Drive to traffic. We are at the end of the month, so many people have asked: “Is Riverside Drive about to reopen?” The short answer is: Yes. Soon. There is always some level of unpredictability in construction - the rain this week, for example, slowed work a bit. But EWSU anticipates having one lane in each direction open for traffic within the next two weeks.

Of course, the other issue that has been on many people’s minds, especially when it comes to making ends meet, has been CenterPoint. In the past week, the company has made several announcements, which have sparked a fair amount of discussion online.

For most of this year, I, along with Rockport Mayor Cathy Kirkpatrick and Mt. Vernon Mayor Steve Loehr, have been in communication with CenterPoint Energy officials, both locally and from Houston, urging them to take meaningful steps to address affordability in our communities. In one of those meetings, I made a specific request: a $5 million investment for bill assistance.

This week, CenterPoint announced a $5 million Community Fund to support customers and local economic development. While this does not provide the immediate relief that many families and businesses want and need, I appreciate that CenterPoint has demonstrated a willingness to engage, and a recognition that affordability and long-term stability matter. Weatherizing homes that do not currently qualify for assistance will help reduce energy costs over time, and their economic development investment will support job creation and growth in Evansville’s future.

Still, I know that many residents are struggling right now, and that urgency remains. My commitment is to keep pushing for solutions that put Evansville residents first.

As part of that effort, I invite residents to attend the Traveling City Hall: Utility Resource Fair on Monday, November 3, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Eastland Mall. This event will connect you with information, resources, and direct assistance related to utility costs and energy savings, from nonprofits and other organizations across the city.

Evansville’s strength has always been its people - neighbors who look out for each other and step up when it matters most. Thank you for the many ways you continue to care, contribute, and keep our city and its people moving forward.

- Stephanie