Published on KOIN.com
In a KOIN News report covering Oregon’s growing food insecurity crisis, Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West emerges as the leading voice pressing for swift and decisive action as federal SNAP funding stalls during the government shutdown. The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a local state of emergency and authorized $100,000 in contingency funding to support residents who suddenly face the threat of losing their primary food assistance. At the heart of the decision is West’s clear message: “We need the state to step up.”
The article highlights how Oregon’s SNAP vulnerability is among the highest in the nation, with 18% of residents relying on the program. While Governor Kotek declared a statewide food emergency and allocated $5 million to food banks, West and the board argue that this falls far short of what other states are doing — especially those directly backfilling SNAP benefits onto residents’ EBT cards. By comparison, Washington, New Mexico, California, Nevada, New York, and Virginia are deploying dramatically larger relief efforts, ensuring their most vulnerable residents continue to receive essential food support.
West emphasizes that food banks, while critical, cannot fully replace the targeted purchasing power SNAP provides. “Sometimes when you go to a food bank, you get what you get — you don’t get what you need,” Commissioner Paul Savas added during the meeting, reinforcing West’s call for a stronger, state-level response. West’s leadership underscores his longstanding focus on protecting families, seniors, and low-income households during crises. As Clackamas County moves to fill immediate gaps, West is urging Oregon to match the urgency and scale demonstrated by other states so that no family is left hungry due to federal inaction.
Content credit to KOIN.com