Published on WilsonvilleSpokesman.com
A recent Wilsonville Spokesman article highlights Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West as the driving force behind the county’s plan to declare a state of emergency in response to the looming lapse of federal SNAP benefits during the prolonged government shutdown. With food assistance scheduled to run out in November, West urged fellow commissioners to prepare immediate local action if the state fails to intervene. His proposal includes allocating up to $100,000 in emergency county funding to support food banks and direct food distribution — a proactive step aimed at preventing families, seniors, and vulnerable residents from going hungry.
“This is what counties do,” West said during the meeting. “We solve local problems, we deliver services… we can’t let our neighbors go hungry.” The unanimous agreement from the board underscores West’s leadership and the urgency of the situation. Commissioners discussed coordinating with local food banks, Clackamas Service Center, and grocers to ensure supply capacity and rapid distribution if the county must activate its plan.
The article also stresses the magnitude of the crisis: local food pantries are already seeing increased demand, and leaders fear a surge in need if SNAP benefits disappear. Hunger Fighters Oregon, whose guests are heavily reliant on SNAP, warned that the loss of federal support will drive even more families into emergency food lines. County administrators acknowledged that resources are tight but affirmed that the emergency declaration would give Clackamas County the flexibility needed to act quickly.
West’s initiative positions him once again as a decisive advocate for residents facing immediate hardship — prioritizing community well-being over politics and ensuring that basic needs are met, even when federal and state systems fall short.
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