Lazarus House Ministries Responds to SNAP Cuts

In a state as wealthy as Massachusetts, no one should go hungry. Yet even here in the Merrimack Valley, 1 in 3 residents reported experiencing food insecurity last year. For decades, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has helped close that gap. SNAP provides food benefits to low-income individuals and families, with the goal of supplementing their grocery budgets with nutritious food. SNAP delivers $240 million in food assistance statewide each month with over 1 million people in Massachusetts relying on SNAP including 430,000 children. In Lawrence, where we work, 42% of the population receive SNAP benefits.

 

The recent bill passed in July by Congress risks undercutting progress we have made in reducing food insecurity in Massachusetts. In addition to financial cuts, the bill will impose harsh new work requirements for SNAP starting November 1- potentially cutting or reducing benefits for up to 150,000 Massachusetts residents. The ongoing government shutdown will create additional problems for the SNAP program as states may have to step in to cover the costs of the program.

 

These changes to SNAP will reduce or eliminate benefits for seniors, veterans, children, and working families across Massachusetts. Coupled with high grocery costs, these cuts will create a burden that too many residents will not be able to absorb, forcing more people to turn to food safety networks like Lazarus House that are already stretched to capacity.

 

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