President Trump released his budget proposal for 2018 that – if approved – would cut and cripple a number of vital safety-net programs, including SNAP. Trump’s proposal includes things like:
- Reduce SNAP spending by $213.5 BILLION over 10 years
- Partially replace EBT benefits with a box of food commodities from USDA
- Penalize large families by imposing a cap at 6 people per household
- Eliminate the minimum benefit
The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank was quick to act, submitting a strongly worded statement (Below).
We are deeply troubled by the President’s proposed federal budget released yesterday, which takes direct aim at our country’s most important and effective anti-hunger program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (called CalFresh in California). These proposals to slash funding and dismantle the program would amount to over $200 billion in cuts over 10 years – equivalent to 30% of the program’s budget – through cruel and ill-conceived ideas like partially replacing benefits with boxes of USDA commodities, capping benefits for large households, and eliminating the minimum benefit. We recognize the harmful effect that this negative rhetoric has on our communities and the people we serve, and we continue to remain firmly committed to using our voice to elevate the importance of federal nutrition programs like SNAP for the 4 million Californians who rely on the program to nourish their families.
ABC7 Reporter Carolyn Tyler did a story on Trump’s budget, featuring a soundbite from our Executive Director Paul Ash. View that story here.
Paul Ash was also heard on KQED Radio, discussing the Trump Budget and it’s negative effect on Food Banks across the nation. Hear that story here.
If you would like to help the Food Bank through these trying times, consider giving a donation, filling a volunteer shift, or following us on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.
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