Tens of thousands apply for food assistance in Richland County

The federal food stamp assistance program in Richland County this week was an “absolute success,” said Karama Bailey, a state Department of Social Services official.

The program, called D-SNAP, offered hundreds in food stamp funds for people who could prove they had lost property or income because of October’s flooding. It led thousands to pour through the Word of God Church and Ministries in Columbia each day this week to apply.

Bailey said about 28,000 people had come through the church by Friday afternoon. The D-SNAP site in Richland County was the largest in the state this week, she said.

Bailey said she didn’t know how many people had been approved for aid or how much aid had been dispersed. But she said the number of people who applied, organization of the workers and waiting lines and how happy everyone seemed to be made the one-week program a success.

“They were telling us this is the difference between being able to put food on the table for their families or not, especially during the holiday season,” Bailey said.

Bailey said the staff at Word of God was extremely helpful in ensuring the program ran smoothly.

Applicants who were approved for aid received a card. Funds will be added to that card within a week, Bailey said.

This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 4:29 PM with the headline "Tens of thousands apply for food assistance in Richland County."