Possible reduction of SNAP Program raises alarms for Virginia foodbank
The cuts would result in 9.5 million meals lost every year, according to Feeding America, and would strain foodbanks like the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore which are already stretched thin.
'Food banks cannot fill the gap left by cuts to federal nutrition programs like SNAP,' said Christopher Tan, President and CEO of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. 'SNAP is our country's first line of defense against hunger.'
The bill, which passed with a vote of 215-214, would include major changes such as:
Shifting a portion of SNAP costs to states
Expanding work requirements up to age 64 and to parents of children over age seven
Capping future benefit increases by making Thrifty Food Plan updates revenue neutral
'If the Senate does not remove these harmful provisions, we will see longer lines, more families in crisis, and increased pressure on our network of community partners,' Tan explained.
The bill also included a proposed $625 billion in cuts to Medicaid, which would cause at least 7.6 million people to lose health coverage by 2034, according to budget analysts.
'We are asking our local community to join us in contacting their Senators during this critical time,' Tan added. 'This is not just about policy, it's about people. And right now, people need support, not cuts.'
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