As the government shutdown continues, the Douglas County Democratic Committee is supporting residents wrestling with food insecurity.
The committee voted unanimously to donate $2,000 to the Good Samaritan Center in Douglasville to provide for people impacted by President Donald Trump’s continued shutdown.
“This isn’t about politics, it’s about decency,” said Robin Zuniga-Ortega, Ph.D., chair of the Douglas County Democratic Committee. “I’m proud our local Democratic officials have invested in ensuring residents have access to food and we’re proud to join them.”
Democratic members of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted to appropriate $50,000 for local food relief, and Democratic Commissioner Martin Raxton appropriated another $5,000 from his budget for assistance.
The government shutdown — the longest in American history — has left crucial food security benefits up in the air as courts debate funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Along with the financial donation, the local Democratic committee has collected food, toiletries and diapers for donation. On Black Friday, this Nov. 28, committee members will also be at Arbor Place Mall for a “shop and drop” drive, where people can make donations from 10 a.m. to noon.
“The message is simple: starving people is no way to run a government,” said Zuniga-Ortega. “Our access to health care is at risk, they’re slashing Medicaid and driving up premiums in the insurance marketplace, and they’re trying to starve us out to reach their ends. The people who need this help are also at risk of losing their health care. We’re not going to let that happen.”
Former commissioner and committee member Tarenia Carthan is leading a drive for donations of paper goods and toiletries, and committee member Susan Nelson Bowie is leading a drive to collect shelf-stable foods.
For more than 40 years, the Good Samaritan Center in Douglasville has organized resources to help Douglas County residents. The center is located at 8366 Grady Street in Douglasville. Donations can be made through the “Donate” link at goodsamaritan-center.org.
“The Good Samaritan Center has been a cornerstone of support for decades, and they’re facing a tremendous need now,” said Zuniga-Ortega. “We have committee members who dedicate their time there, and now we’re tapping into our budget to support them. I hope our neighbors will do the same to combat this cruelty.”