We’re happy to share the  South Carolina SNAP Application Assistance Landscape Assessment (SAALA). The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is an essential pillar of food security. South Carolina faces particularly high rates of food insecurity and low rates of SNAP program uptake by eligible households. With the consultation of our Food Bank networks’ advocacy teams, and in partnership with Better Way Consulting, we developed this project with the goal of:

1. Identify the current actors in the South Carolina application assistance environment; who they are, what they offer, where they operate, and what gaps there might be.

2. Understand Food Banks’ and food pantries’ current practices regarding application assistance and perceived barriers to improvement.

3. Conduct background research on the state of SNAP applications in South Carolina; identify specific areas needing more assistance and formulate a S.M.A.R.T. plan for improvement.

4. Compare the current/proposed partnership between Food Banks/pantries and application assisters in SC to those of other states to glean policies or practices for potential adoption.

 

SAALA – Executive Summary

This project, SAALA, aimed to learn more from Food Bank network partner agencies, such as food pantries, soup kitchens, and other direct basic needs sites. Two primary research methods make up the project: a statewide partner agency SNAP access survey, and 10 semi-structured interviews with partner agencies each holding varying levels of SNAP involvement. The project was additionally contextualized by a Food Bank-level SNAP involvement survey, and partner data from the largest third-party application assistance provider in the state, SC Thrive. This report shares these research findings, making actionable, relevant recommendations in light of incoming SNAP policy changes.