Do you know who is on SNAP? Do you know the impact of BUB (Big Ugly Bill) on SNAP? Do you know how many people have been removed from SNAP that still can’t feed their families?  Do you understand the depth of food insecurity in Western North Carolina?

​

There is not enough room here to answer all those questions. The bottom line is people are hurting and it’s only getting worse thanks to BUB. Helene saw an increase in SNAP recipients and now we have the high costs of basic necessities and jobs not paying a living wage.

​

Who is going to feed the hungry? Food banks, local food pantries, churches are other non-profits are at breaking points. The cost of the basic necessities has hit these organizations as well as the folks who normally donate. We are going to have to start thinking outside the box. There are children going hungry and we need to find a way to feed them.

This was written by the Alternate National Park service a year ago and it does a good job explaining who receives SNAP benefits:

​

It’s been really disheartening to see the things people say about those who use SNAP. Many seem to have little understanding of why the program exists in the first place.

Most people who use SNAP do so temporarily (often after losing a job, dealing with medical issues, or facing unexpected hardships) and need a little help while getting back on their feet.

Many recipients are working full-time jobs but still struggle to make ends meet. Wages simply haven’t kept pace with the rising costs of food and housing, leaving millions of hardworking Americans unable to afford basic necessities.

The truth is, SNAP has one of the lowest fraud rates of any federal program (under 1%), and it helps keep millions of children, seniors, and working adults from going hungry.

A year later we are seeing more people coming off SNAP rolls, not because they can afford to feed their family, but because the BUB changed eligibility requirements. BUB has pushed the administrative costs to the states and in North Carolina that means down to the county level. There will be penalties based on error rates. The administrative staff for SNAP has been cut and those left are overworked and underpaid.

Who pays the ultimate price for these changes? The tired and hungry; those just trying to survive; those working multiple jobs; children whose only meal is what they get at school; the disabled that can’t work; and, so many more.

Did you know that SNAP actually supports the local economy? This is an AI summary along with the sources:

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits the economy by acting as a fast-acting economic stimulus, supporting local businesses, and boosting national growth.

Key Economic Impacts:

·        High Economic Multiplier: Research from the USDA Economic Research Service shows that every $1 in SNAP benefits generates approximately $1.54 to $1.79 in total economic activity during a slowing economy.

·        Direct Support for Local Grocers and Retailers: Because SNAP benefits must be used to purchase food, participants spend them quickly at local grocery stores, supermarkets, and farmers' markets. This steady cash flow keeps store shelves stocked, supports retail jobs, and drives local revenue.

·        Boosting Agriculture and Supply Chains: Increased food purchases channel money back to agricultural producers, food processors, and transport distributors, generating extra income and jobs for U.S. farming industries.

·        Countercyclical Stabilization: SNAP automatically expands during economic downturns (such as recessions or job losses) and contracts when the economy improves. This injects money directly into struggling communities just as consumer spending drops.

·        Freeing Up Household Budgets: By covering essential grocery costs, SNAP leaves low-income families with slightly more flexibility to pay for rent, utilities, and medicine, preventing cascading financial crises like evictions.

·        Reducing Long-Term Societal Costs: Alleviating hunger lowers long-term healthcare expenses, improves childhood educational and career outcomes, and reduces public expenditures tied to poverty and the legal system.

Primary sources for SNAP economic impact data:

·        USDA Economic Research Service (ERS): Publishes the landmark report "New Estimates of the SNAP Multiplier", which calculates that every $1 billion in new SNAP benefits increases Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $1.54 billion and supports 13,560 jobs. (Link: usda.gov)

·        Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP): A nonpartisan research institute that tracks national and state-by-state data regarding SNAP's dual role as an anti-poverty tool and economic stimulus. (Link: cbpp.org)

·        USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA): Manages the central data tables tracking national participation, benefits, and costs which reflect how the program expands and contracts alongside the economy. (Link: usda.gov)

Below are a couple of additional articles for you to read. There are so many more out there. The article about counties picking up the cost of SNAP is longer, but a good read.

​

Keep those tired flippers up,

Mary