2014 SNAP CUTS HURT

Late in 2013 Congress cut benefits for the 47 million Americans who receive SNAP assistance. One year later, a report by Food Bank for New York City finds New Yorkers have lost more than 56 million meals as a result of these cuts. That’s more meals lost in the city alone than a typical food bank distributes in a year. Approximately 75% of the 800 or so emergency food providers in Food Bank For New York City’s network saw an immediate increase in the number of visitors on their lines. One year later, food pantries and soup kitchens are reporting food shortages at an alarming rate. This past September alone, 60% of food pantries and soup kitchens reported running out of food for complete pantry bags or soup kitchen meals. Thirty-seven percent reported having to turn people away and 61% reported reducing the amount of food in their pantry bags because of food shortages.

Source: MSNBC, 12/31/14, 2014 SNAP Cuts