Effective today, the Federal government shutdown has ended. November SNAP benefits have been issued to all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in Cook County. Cook County PHHS would like to thank all community members and organizations for their generous donations to be used towards the purchase of food cards to support our community members.

Cook County PHHS will continue to accept donations, which will be applied towards the general Good Samaritan fund. These funds are used for food cards, fuel cards and other essential services to clients, when no other funding source is available. If you would like to make a monetary, tax-deductible, donation to support the PHHS Good Samaritan fund, please contact Plamen Dimitrov, PHHS Fiscal Supervisor, at 218-387-3628.

In addition, the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF), which administers the SNAP program at the state level, has been alerted of a text/email/phone call scam. This scam claims tells recipients they need to repay their benefits. Scammers are taking advantage of the stress and uncertainty caused by the Federal government shutdown and recent court proceedings. Please contact a PHHS intake worker at 218-387-3620 if you have questions about benefits.

We are maintaining a continuous food drive in the lobby of the Cook County Courthouse through the end of the calendar year. There are several bins, each labeled for a specific type of item (canned goods, cereal, household goods, etc.). This system is largely self-serve, meaning that individuals can donate unopened, non-expired, non-perishable items to the appropriate bin and or take items that they need.

About Cook County, MN 

Cook County encompasses the sovereign nation of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; the City of Grand Marais; the Townships of Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder; and unincorporated areas in the easternmost part of Minnesota’s North Shore. Cook County Government values transparency and strives to deliver superior services and programs in a fiscally responsible way. We value the dignity of all County residents and seek to create a community that provides opportunity for all. Many of our offices are in the Cook County Courthouse at 411 W 2nd St, Grand Marais 55604. Other departments and facilities, such as the Airport, Community Center, Highway and Sheriff are located nearby. Call 218-387-3000 or visit: https://co.cook.mn.us