Washingtonians who rely on federal food assistance have joined the ranks of Americans who will be negatively impacted by the recently passed federal spending bill.
The Republican-led Congress pushed through a bill that will not only cut Medicaid by more than $880 billion, it will slash funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) by $187 billion through 2034. In Washington that translates to a reduction of about $56 per month for each recipient.
To many, $56 would mean sacrificing a few fancy lattes each month. But for poor and low-income Washingtonians, $56 could provide several meals for a family of four, according to the federal Thrifty Food Plan. The bill also reduced the maximum amount a family can receive each month. For a family of four it drops from $975 to $848.
Area food banks have been a reliable source for food for those in need. With the federal cuts, some food bank operators anticipate an increase in the demand for nutritious foods. That means they will need more money from private donations and more volunteers.
“We’ve been very lucky that we received a lot of private support since the cuts in federal funding have happened,” said Kathy Ulrich, development director at the Rainier Valley Food Bank. “Some of it was unexpected and unsolicited from private foundations. The Puget Sound has been incredibly generous, but it’s going to be a long haul.”
The Rainier Valley Food Bank, which supported 16,700 people last year, expects to increase its food budget from about $650,000 to more than $1 million.
Many of the food bank’s customers are people who run out of food before their next SNAP benefit arrives, or before payday. Still, each day SNAP is what keeps most low-income adults and children from hunger. For every one meal a food bank provides, SNAP benefits provide nine, Ulrich said.
The cuts will also impact small neighborhood grocery stores that greatly rely on SNAP payments.
As the budget cuts take effect, Washingtonians with means should continue to share with those without. At Rainier Valley, 750 volunteers donate their time throughout the year and more will be needed starting in October. Though the spending bill will prove to be cruel and selfish, the people of the Puget Sound are not.
