County Beacon Newsletter #19: Ranita Garcia Builds Community; How SNAP Cuts Will Impact Franklin and Granville Counties
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-Oct. 15), we interviewed Ranita Garcia, an immigrant from Puebla, Mexico, about how she's building community right here in Franklin County. And we take a look at how SNAP changes could impact Franklin and Granville Counties’ budgets.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we interviewed Ranita Garcia, founder of Comunidad Unidad, a Franklin County-based nonprofit that organizes cultural celebrations, community events and fundraisers while connecting families with resources when they need it most.
Garcia’s work shows what it looks like when community members come together to support each other.
Ranita’s organization helps feed those who are hungry and show up for those in need in Franklin County’s Latino community, estimated at a little over 1,000 people, or about 13%, according to the U.S. Census. When they organize food sales or fundraisers and don't have everything they need, people will show up and contribute what they can. When someone is sick, the community organizes fundraisers. When someone dies, they help families raise money to return their loved one's remains to their home country.
While Garcia is originally from Puebla, Mexico, her work supports families from different Latino communities who live and work in Franklin County.
She understands the importance of that support personally.
About a year ago, Garcia was diagnosed with cancer. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to separate her from the community, Garcia said being around people became part of what motivated her to keep moving.
“En lugar de estar ahí encerrado llorando, ‘voy a morir,’ entonces rodeado de tanta gente, eso me motiva mucho,” Garcia said.
English: “Instead of being locked up there crying, I’m going to die, being surrounded by so many people, that motivates me a lot,” Garcia said.
So when she sees other people struggling with illness, she tries to pass that strength along.
“Levántense, vamos a hacer algo.”
English: Get up. Let’s do something.
Read the full story here and hear Garcia talk about her work and her heritage in her own words here.
What else you need to know
Federal SNAP changes took effect Oct. 1. The large federal bill known as H.R. 1 was passed last July but delayed implementation on many items — including changes to the supplemental food program known as SNAP that many North Carolina families rely on.
The program is generally administered by a county’s social services department. Before Thursday, the federal government provided 75% of the administrative costs to states; now it is providing 50%, along with adding work and paperwork requirements expected to kick people out of the program.
More than a million North Carolinians receive food benefits, including one in six children. The program also drives between 40-50% of grocery sales in rural counties, according to a N.C. Department of Health and Human Services report.
The North Carolina Budget and Tax Center analysis shows how these cuts will impact Franklin and Granville Counties:
- Granville County will face $480K in new SNAP administrative costs each year.
- Franklin County will face $360K in new SNAP administrative costs each year.
-The County Beacon Team
Upcoming Events
Creedmoor Board of Commissioners Meeting
Monday, Oct. 5, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall Boardroom, 111 Masonic Street, Creedmoor
📄 View agenda
📺 Watch Livestream
Franklin County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Monday, Oct. 5, 6:00 p.m.
Franklin Plaza Training Room, 279 South Bickett Boulevard, Louisburg
📄 View agenda
📺 Watch Livestream
Granville County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Monday, Oct. 5, 7:00 p.m.
Granville County Convention and Expo Center, 4185, US Highway 15, South Oxford
📄 View agenda
📺 Watch Livestream
Granville County Board of Education Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 6:00 p.m.
GCPS Central Office, 101 Delacroix St., Oxford
📄 View agenda
📺 Watch Livestream
Granville County 4-H Livestock Show
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 4:00 p.m.
Granville County Expo Center
Youth ages 5-18 may exhibit cattle, sheep and goats.
Youngsville Board of Commissioners Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 8, 7:00 p.m.
Youngsville Town Hall, 134 US 1A South
The Town of Youngsville Board of Commissioners meets on the second Thursday of each month.
📄 View agenda
