Waynesville resident Sam Wilds is blind, cannot work, uses her entire Social Security disability check for household bills, has approximately $50 left on her SNAP card for the month of October, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. 

To the Editor:

Last week at the Jackson County commission meeting, we heard some truly disturbing news about the ways the “Big Beautiful Bill” will affect Jackson County. Cris Weatherford, the Director of Department of Social Services, gave a breakdown of federal money our county is about to lose.

Like any parent or guardian, Katie Clubb wants to provide nutritious food for her grandchildren. Clubb, a Canton resident, said with rising grocery prices, SNAP benefits don’t adequately cover healthy options for anyone in her household. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2024 reported that the average person received $187.20 in SNAP — Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program — per participant, per month.

If you’re not familiar with iCurbside, it is the Ingles Markets on-line ordering and curbside pick up option we offer at many of our stores. We even have a free “app” for phones! You can learn more about iCurbside here: Shop - Ingles Markets Inc (ingles-markets.com) including a FAQ (frequently asked questions). 

Question: I don’t have celiac disease but was thinking of buying more gluten-free products, are they better/healthier for me? 

1. Get an Ingles Advantage card. This helps you save every time you buy groceries. You’ll also have fuel points loaded to your card from your grocery trip and by filling prescriptions at your Ingles Pharmacy and this saves when fueling up at Ingles Fuel Centers.