On Wednesday evening, as Saturday’s upcoming stoppage of federal funding of the SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) grows nearer, Beacon’s Mayor Lee Kyriacou proposed providing gift cards from local grocers to Beacon residents who are currently receiving SNAP benefits.

In a statement on Mayor Lee’s Facebook page, that was first announced on the City of Beacon’s page, he said: “Today I announced that I will propose to amend the 2025 Budget at the next City Council meeting to authorize funding for emergency food assistance to Beacon residents who are losing federal benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“I directed City staff to quickly develop a program in cooperation with local grocers to provide gift cards to Beacon residents who currently receive SNAP benefits. If approved by the City Council, the program would be rolled out in the days following the approval, and further details and updates will be provided.”

The next City Council Meeting on Monday is public, where the general public can make Public Comment and the City Council can vote on proposed resolutions. This marks an uncommon move to add a proposed resolution to the official voting agenda within the week of the agenda being created, and then voted on by City Council to adopt or not that evening. Hence, the emergency funding.

The City Council is currently discussing and debating the proposed budget for 2026, as they do every October for a vote by December.