The largest cut to food assistance ever has just passed, at a time when the demand for food assistance and cost of living are at their highest. With the potential loss of 9 billion meals annually across the country, this decision is nothing short of devastating.
Make no mistake: Hunger is about to get worse. Way worse.
SNAP has been the most effective program to fight hunger, and it will now be slashed and dismantled. SNAP provides 9 meals for every 1 meal provided by food banks. The burden that will be shifted to food banks, like ACCFB, is tremendous.
In Alameda County alone, 1 in 4 of us are experiencing food insecurity, and 175,000 individuals currently rely on SNAP benefits to ensure they have enough food on the table for themselves and their families.
Many people will lose access to SNAP due to unfair restrictions related to age and work. People who are able to keep their benefits will have their benefit amounts frozen while the cost of basic needs increases.
By 2028, the federal government will have shifted a significant burden for SNAP funding to states. If this rule were in place this past year, California would have to cover between $630 million – $3.15 billion annually to continue the SNAP (CalFresh) program. This is money that states and food banks simply don’t have right now.
We know the impact of this legislation will be devastating. But here is what else we know: every gift, every meal, every step toward food justice matters, now more than ever.
That’s why we need community support, like yours to help fill this gap. Thank you for your support at this critical time.
