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As families and seniors struggle to access adequate nutrition, experts warn that the situation could worsen significantly due to proposed federal budget cuts. That includes deep cuts to SNAP benefits, according to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer. Around 112,000 kids seniors and families in the Capital Region rely on SNAP, according to Schumer. A total of $185 million from the program goes to our area.
Schumer and several community leaders in the Capital Region came together on Monday morning to denounce the cuts, and the potential harm they say they could cause. Severe cuts to SNAP have already impacted local food banks, food pantries and the farmers who supply vital food resources, they said. The USDA halted $500 million of expected food deliveries and cut another $1 billion for hunger relief programs supporting local producers.
The cuts are already being felt throughout the Capital Region, he said. “The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York has already been devastated by these cuts,” Schumer said. “They’ve had 27 tractor-trailers full of food canceled – one million pounds of fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat.
“We’ve lost a million pounds of food,” said Nardacci, the Regional Food Bank’s CEO. “That’s 750,000 meals that are gone right now and that’s just the start.”
“The vast and draconian cuts that have been discussed will send children to bed hungry, our elders without basic nutrition and our veterans without dignity,” said Sister Van Deusen, who is the CEO of Catholic Charities.
Advocates urged for immediate action from local representatives to block the proposed budget cuts, linking them to the tax policies benefiting the wealthiest individuals while taking food away from those in need. Schumer is calling on Republican congressmen in New York state to not vote for the cuts. “If only four of them would say they’re not for cutting SNAP and won’t vote for a budget bill that cuts SNAP, won’t vote for this reconciliation bill that cuts SNAP, it wouldn’t happen,” he said. “It’s in their hands.”
“I hate to make this partisan, but that’s what it is,” he said. “We’ve got to get the food to people.”
