HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A coalition of the largest food banks in Alabama is warning that cuts being considered by Congress to the SNAP food assistance program could have devastating consequences.
According to multiple reports, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering cutting $230 billion from the program and shifting more of the cost from the federal government to the states.
But the food bank coalition Feeding Alabama tells News 19 the cuts come at a time when other federal dollars for food banks and school nutrition programs are also being cut, and hunger problems are not declining. There are food banks in every county in the state, but Feeding Alabama officials say a major cut to SNAP would be very difficult to make up elsewhere.
Congress on Tuesday was beginning its debate on the proposed $230 billion, 10-year SNAP benefit cut. The initial proposals would shift more costs to states, expand qualifying requirements and increase work demands on older recipients.
But advocates say SNAP in Alabama has an economic impact of $1.80 for every program. They said SNAP recipients include several people every year in Alabama who need temporary food assistance as they navigate a crisis brought on by a job loss or medical problems.
The goal, advocates say, is to provide a temporary source of reliable food to help allow them to get back on their feet and resume productive lives. Feeding Alabama says the program benefits farmers, small grocery stores and rural communities, and the impact is widespread. Feeding Alabama’s network includes the Food Bank of North Alabama and food banks across the state, including the Gulf Coast.
“Over 700,000 folks in Alabama turn to SNAP at one time or another in any given year,” said Michael Ledger, CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast. “And it’s a vital program, for every pound of food we put out in the food bank, SNAP can provide nine.”
“The vast majority of the people getting SNAP are either seniors or children that are benefiting from this. And these are two population segments, we know, the choices they have are limited. A child is not really going to be able to affect their circumstances. A senior who is on a fixedincome is not going to be able to affect their circumstances and so reducing that could have a real dramatic impact,” Ledger added.
Feeding Alabama also estimates that 23,000 veterans in Alabama are using SNAP benefits.
The proposed cuts are part of a House GOP-led budget and tax cut overhaul.
News 19 has reached out to North Alabama U.S. Representatives Dale Strong and Robert Aderholt regarding their views of the proposed SNAP cuts. So far, neither congressman has responded.
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