Forgotten Harvest CEO: ‘Big, beautiful bill’ would leave food banks overwhelmed
“The budget reconciliation bill proposes approximately $4 trillion in tax cuts that are offset by $1.8 trillion in federal spending cuts – $1.2 trillion of which comes from the SNAP and Medicaid programs.”
“Proponents of this legislation contend that the federal government is not reducing funding and that the changes that are being made are intended to eliminate fraud and waste.
Neither of these statements are true. Congress is proposing to shift up to 15-25% of the SNAP program costs and 25% of the administrative costs to the states.”
“The biggest source of fraud in the existing SNAP program comes from thieves electronically stealing the benefits paid to SNAP recipients because Congress has not authorized properly encrypting SNAP benefit cards.“
As a social worker I can vouch for the impact of the poorly encrypted SNAP (EBT) cards. At the beginning of every month we receive a large amount of calls from clients whose benefit dollars were “skimmed” by professional thieves who prey on this weakness. The households who lose these funds, through no fault of their own, simply have no SNAP funds for that month. There is no funding available to replenish those stolen funds. The cheapest way to eliminate a large chunk of current fraud would simply be to upgrade the cards – but this bill makes no provision for that.
Minnesota food shelves brace for impact of SNAP funding cut
“Susan Peterson and her son Zach navigated the bustling aisles of Open Cupboard’s Today’s Harvest market, grateful for the free food and community support. Like nearly 450,000 Minnesotans, they rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table. But with Congress approving the largest SNAP cuts in history, uncertainty looms… Jessica Francis, executive director of Open Cupboard, says her organization is bracing for a surge in demand. “Our food is decreasing, our funding is decreasing, and the number of people that are coming to us for services are increasing,” Francis said.”
“An analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says up to 150,000 Minnesotans could lose or see their SNAP benefits reduced under the new law, which also imposes stricter work requirements and limits on deductions. Approximately 450,000 Minnesotans benefit from the program.”
It is the same story everywhere, thousands of families will struggle even more to get through life. How many more children will go to bed hungry, how much impact will this loss of food have on the health of the 2.9 million persons estimated to lose SNAP benefits under this new legislation? Buckle up, because when people cannot feed their children or themselves through legitimate means they will find other ways.
From Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”
“At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,” said the [one of the gentlemen], taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.”
“Are there no prisons?” asked Scrooge.
“Plenty of prisons,” said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
“And the Union workhouses?” demanded Scrooge. “Are they still in operation?”
“They are. Still,” returned the gentleman, “I wish I could say they were not.”
“The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?” said Scrooge.
“Both very busy, sir.”
“Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,” said Scrooge. “I’m very glad to hear it.”
“Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,” returned the gentleman, “a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?”
“Nothing!” Scrooge replied.
“You wish to be anonymous?”
“I wish to be left alone,” said Scrooge. “Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned: they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.”
“Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.”
“If they would rather die,” said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
Don’t turn your back. Contact your Senators and Representatives. Be informed and vote appropriately. Maybe find a few dollars to help food banks- if everyone just does what they can there may be enough for all.
What are your thoughts? Please leave a comment…
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