Opinion: 60,000 Locals Rely On SNAP. Nonprofits Can’t Meet The Gap Alone.
November 20, 2025
The following editorial opinion letter was submitted to North Escambia.com by 15 local nonprofit organizations.
Every day, health and human service non-profits provide essential support to local households, including food, shelter, healthcare, and more. These services are funded by donations from individuals and businesses, corporate and foundation grants, and state and governmental funding. This array of funding supports direct services and agency operations.
Non-profits fill the gaps when other services are unavailable or unaffordable. However, these organizations do not have the financial resources to provide the full range of assistance necessary to meet all a household’s needs. That requires a variety of resources, including jobs, private benefits, public benefits, and government-funded programs. When some or all of those cease to exist, it strains the safety net supported by the non-profit sector.
When communities shut down because of COVID, people lost jobs, and the non-profit safety net kicked in. Households received assistance from non-profits, which had enough funds and resources for a while. As the pandemic continued, the federal government provided important funding, which many non-profits used to provide food, rent, utilities, and other assistance to households in need.
A major source of support for households in our area, SNAP, was temporarily without funding due to the government shutdown. SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides food benefits to low-income families to help with their grocery budgets. This helps ensure people can afford nutritious food that is necessary for them to lead healthy lives.
As of this week, SNAP funding and eligibility remains unclear. Proposed changes suggest that many Americans may lose SNAP benefits entirely as they return. Even those who continue to receive SNAP benefits face financial hardships as they have dipped into other limited funds to pay for food in the past weeks.
U.S. Citizens, or individuals with qualified non-citizen status, are eligible for SNAP. Undocumented immigrants cannot qualify for SNAP. Other requirements vary from state to state.
In Florida, households must earn less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level which is $64,300 for a family of four. These ALICE, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, families are working yet living paycheck to paycheck. People over 60 must meet income and asset tests to qualify. Thirty-seven percent of individuals receiving SNAP are in working families. Individuals who are blind or are on federal disability are also eligible for SNAP.
In the United States, nearly 42 million people, or 12% of the population, participate in SNAP. In the state of Florida, 2.98 million people, or 12.7% of the population, receive SNAP benefits. Of those, 1.1 million are children, which represents 39% of all SNAP recipients in Florida.
Forty percent of older adults in Florida are on SNAP. About 30% rely on other programs to have enough to eat, which means that in some cases, multiple services are not enough to feed seniors.
Across the country, National Guard, reservists, military families, and veterans benefit from the SNAP program. In the state of Florida, 108,000 veterans, or 7% of veterans, are SNAP recipients. Locally, in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, 60,000 individuals rely on SNAP.
The dollar amount of the benefit depends on the state of residence. In Florida, the average SNAP benefit per household member per month is just $186, or $6.12 per day. That’s not a lot, but it means households are closer to having enough to eat.
Loss of SNAP is not detrimental to just the individuals who rely on it, but to communities as well. Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.50 in economic output. SNAP recipients spend their benefits quickly, boosting sales for grocery stores and their suppliers, which in turn supports jobs and wages, directly stimulating the local economy.
The loss of SNAP benefits, in the middle of a government shutdown, is causing tremendous strain on households. That strain is also being felt by the local non-profits, who are committed to helping people. Non-profits are designed to provide support and a safety net when needed, but they are not built to meet all the needs of struggling households. Communities thrive when local, state and federal governments, businesses, foundations, and non-profits work together to provide support to households in need. The absence of one or more of these creates a gap that jeopardizes the health and well-being of hardworking citizens, vulnerable children and adults, and members of our military and veterans.
The non-profit sector in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties works hard to keep families safe and healthy, but we cannot do it alone. You can help your favorite non-profit, or the non-profit sector, by making a financial gift, volunteering your time, and/or advocating for policies that support struggling families in our communities. In turn, you are bringing hope to our friends and neighbors.
Respectfully submitted by,
Laura Gilliam, United Way of West Florida
Katie Ballard, Studer Community Institute
Connie Bookman, Pathways for Change
Shirley Cornett, Interfaith Ministries
Rev. Ashlee Mosley Brown, Bright Bridge Ministries
Rachelle Burns, EscaRosa Suicide Prevention Coalition
Karen Egozi, Epilepsy Alliance Florida
Cheryl Etheridge, The Black NonProfit Group
Carolyn Grawi, Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida
Christeia Hawkins, Northwest Florida Community Outreach
Rachel Iverson, Gulf Coast Freedom Schools
Josh Newby, Council on Aging of West Florida
Gladys Scott, Sisters of Hope
Paula Shell, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
DeDe Flounlaker, Manna Food Bank
Law Firm To Give Away Turkey Dinners For 1,000 Families On Friday
November 20, 2025
The Watson Firm, together with local businesses and entrepreneurs, will be serving their neighbors at their Annual Community Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway on Friday at the Pensacola Fairgrounds.
This holiday tradition began in 2017, where 200 families were provided a complete holiday turkey feast. In 2018, 300 families were served. To meet the overwhelming demand in the Pensacola and surrounding communities, this year’s turkey dinner giveaway will accommodate the first 1,000 families. The feast will include a whole frozen turkey or ham, and a variety of sides. Attendees may gather early in front of the parking lot at the fairgrounds.
The event begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 21 at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds at 6655 Mobile Highway.
DeSantis Grants State Workers Three Extra Days Off for Holiday Season
November 20, 2025
State workers are getting a few extra days off for the upcoming holidays.
State workers were already going to be off for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, plus the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that state offices will also be closed on Wednesday, November 26; Friday, December 26; and Friday, January 2 in celebration of the holidays.
“Our state employees have worked hard throughout the year,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I hope they enjoy additional time off with loved ones and friends this holiday season. The First Lady and I are thankful for their continued dedication to the people of Florida.”
These dates are in addition to regular office closures on Thursday, November 27; Friday, November 28; Thursday, December 25; and Thursday, January 1.
Escambia Man Faces Up To Life In Federal Prison After Drug Case Guilty Plea
November 20, 2025
An Escambia County man faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced in January on federal drug charges.
Malcolm Terrell Louis, 39, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and two counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, according to John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“This successful prosecution is the result of the outstanding investigative work by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners who are committed to ending the flow of drugs and violence plaguing our communities,” Heekin said.
Court documents reflect that in December of 2024, law enforcement located an unattended, parked vehicle that was left running at a housing complex. Law enforcement could see multiple bags of narcotics and a firearm in the vehicle. The defendant’s fingerprints were located on the vehicle and on one of the bags containing methamphetamine and cocaine. Law enforcement later executed a search warrant at a residence in Pensacola. Louis was present at the residence, and was found to be in possession of narcotics, including methamphetamine and cocaine, and firearms. Prosecutors said he is a multi-time convicted felon.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For 2023 Mugs & Jugs Murder
November 19, 2025
An Escambia County man was sentenced Wednesday morning to life in prison for a 2023 fatal shooting at the Mugs & Jugs bar.
Christian Ketchup, now 27, was convicted in September of the second-degree murder with a firearm of 25-year-old Tierra Binion, the mother of twins. She was found deceased in the parking lot of the establishment on August 23, 2023.
As part of his sentence, Ketchup was ordered to pay $7,500 for the victim’s compensation trust fund.
The incident started inside the bar between Binion and Ketchup’s girlfriend, Rachel Marine DeRise, before continuing outside.
Binion was unconscious when Derise started hitting her while she was down. Ketchup then pulled out a handgun and shot Binion several times. Court documents said 20 shell casings were found near Binion’s body, and five more casings were located across the parking lot.
Derise was charged with misdemeanor battery following the incident. She pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 60 days in county jail and 12 months probation in September 2024.
Organizers Fear Annual MLK Ceremony At Risk Due To Town’s Rental Fee Hike
November 19, 2025
Robert Mitchell fears that an annual Martin Luther King, Jr. ceremony may not happen this year at a Century community center.
The program is held every year by the Century-Flomaton Improvement Association (CFIA) at the town-owned community center on West Highway 4 that is known as the Ag Building.
In June, the Century Town Council voted to hike community center rates. Previously, the daily rental fee was $380. However, a provision allowed a pastor or officer to sign off, dropping the rental to $200 for churches or non-profits.
The new rental policy is $500 for everyone, with a fee waiver that can only be approved by the council for any governmental agency using the facilities. Security, provided by either the sheriff’s office or a Florida-licensed security company, will be required at the renter’s expense for all events with more than 75 attendees.
“We just don’t have any money,” Mitchell told the town council Tuesday night. “We’d still like to keep one (MLK program) in Century…but we need a fee waiver, or a lower one to help us.”
As CFIA treasurer, Mitchell stood at the last Century MLK event last January and asked for small donations fund the event, which includes a lunch for well over 100 attendees celebrating on the national holiday. A guest speaker, a student essay contest, music and other events celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The town’s mayor and most of the town council traditional attend.
Tuesday night, Councilman John Bass said the town is going to revisit community center rental rates in time for the CFIA and their 2026 MLK program. Town Clerk Carrie Moore confirmed the discussion will be on the December 2 council agenda.
Pictured top: Robert Mitchell asks for donations during the 2024 Century-Flomaton Improvement Association Martin Luther King, Jr. program. Also pictured: The program honors King’s legacy NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
District 5 ECUA Member Stephens Elected Board Chairman
November 19, 2025
District 5 Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board member Kevin Stephens was elected board chairman during an organizational meeting on Tuesday. Larry Williams, Sr., District 3, was elected to the vice-chairmanship.
Lois Benson, District 3, was elected to the chairmanship of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) and Vicki Campbell, District 1, was elected to serve as the CAC vice-chairman.
The Board then re-appointed the following citizens to serve on the CAC:
- Chuck Kimball – District 1
- Dean Kirschner – District 2
- Louis Brown, III – District 3
- Mark DeNunzio- District 4
- David Murzin – District 5
- Imelda Cromartie – At-large
- Louise Ritz – At-large
Pensacola Issues 26,085 Red Light Citations
November 19, 2025
On Tuesday, the City of Pensacola has issued a red light camera update.
The intersection of 9th Avenue and Gregory Street continues to be the city’s top hotspot for red light camera violations.
From February 1 to October 31, the city issued 26,085 citations and nearly 32% of them came from 9th Avenue at Gregory Street. The second-highest number came from 9th and Bayou, which has four approaches.
Here are the latest numbers:
- 9th Avenue & Bayou: 7,777
- • 9th Avenue & Airport: 3,616
- • 9th Avenue & Fairfield Drive: 4,969
- • 9th Avenue & Gregory Street: 8,274
- • Fairfield Drive & Davis Hwy: 1,449
Fugitive Arrested Near Oak Grove After Fleeing From Deputies
November 19, 2025
A wanted felon with outstanding warrants was arrested Monday near Oak Grove after a K-9 search.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived at a home in the 3100 block of North Highway 99, just south of Breastworks Road, to arrest 54-year-old Floyd Scott Mooney, Jr. on outstanding warrants issued by the State Attorney’s Office for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, grand theft, and grand theft of a firearm.
Mooney arrived back at the property on a John Deere tractor and fled, leaving the tractor lights on and the keys in the ignition, according to an arrest report.
An ECSO deputy and his K-9 partner arrived at the scene to conduct a search, tracking Mooney north from the property.
A deputy posted near a hunting trail saw Mooney cross a hunting road and gave him commands to stop. Mooney first told the deputy “no” and was attempting to cross a fence before he was taken into custody, the report continues.
An additional charge of resisting arrest was filed against Mooney.
Mooney was booked into the Escambia County Jail and released on a $45,500 bond just under 10 hours later.
Sunny Warm Days, Clear And Cool Nights
November 19, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Becoming sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Widespread dense fog, mainly between 3am and 4am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 59. Calm wind.
Thursday: Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.