24-05-2025
Potential changes to SNAP worry Kalamazoo food bank
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) – A major legislative package outlining tax cuts and spending is making its way through Congress this week. H.R. 1, or the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, also seeks to reform and cut back on several federal programs.
Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, along with other food banks across the country, are closely watching what that could mean for SNAP benefits or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance. Associate Director Greta Faworski said Loaves and Fishes has seen a sharp increase in people asking for help since 2023, with inflation being a main driver.
'We are really currently experiencing the highest demand for service we have in our history of our organization, which is a little bit concerning in the sense that if there are additional increases, we're going to have to really make sure we can stretch resources to help everyone,' Faworski said.
It's a concerning trend, but Faworski said her team is determined to meet the need as best as they can. Some of the people getting help make just enough not to qualify for federal assistance, but can't keep up with basic costs. Others are on SNAP.
While the program helps with food costs at stores, it does not cover all a household could need. That's why Faworski said she's concerned about hearing what's going on in Washington.
'It's always on the chopping block and we're watching that,' she said.
The program, among other federal programs, is in line for deep cuts and reform as part of the legislative package. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is expected to slash $267 billion in federal spending for SNAP over nearly a decade.
Part of it comes from states having to cover 75% of administrative costs instead of 50%. The legislation also calls on states to match 5% of SNAP allotments. That rate would go up depending on the error rate of each state. It would also change general work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents. That requirement would apply to people who are not over 65 years old, instead of 55 years old.
The SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program would also be cut. The program supports SNAP-Ed, an educational arm aimed at promoting healthy eating habits through different state programs.
With Medicaid also facing cuts in federal subsidies, Faworski said she's concerned changes at the federal level will trickle down to people's budgets.
'People are living very, very thinly,' Faworski said. 'And if they have already stretched budgets, something that changes even a very small amount can really throw them into a financial crisis and have put them into a position of having to make choices.'
Some Congressional Republicans say the changes are needed to rein in a program that has been running unchecked.
'The provisions included in the One Big, Beautiful Bill will ensure that SNAP works the way Congress intended by reinforcing work requirements, rooting out waste, and instituting long-overdue accountability incentives to end executive and state overreach,' Republican Congressman Tim Walberg said in a statement to News 8.
Walberg said there's strong support even among Democrats for work requirements. But states have overused waivers.
'This commonsense reform will restore integrity to the program by closing loopholes and incentivizing states to enhance efficiencies and improve outcomes for recipients. These efforts will ultimately strengthen SNAP for those this program was intended to serve,' Walberg said.
If benefits are cut, Faworski said she anticipates seeing a larger number of people using the food bank. Despite losing a major source of support due to cuts at the USDA recently, she said her team will do their best to meet whatever demand comes through the door.
H.R. 1 has moved on to the U.S. Senate. If passed, it will move on to the White House to be signed into law by President Donald Trump.
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