Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Senator Chuck Schumer joined church leaders and advocates on Monday to raise concerns about a Republican plan to cut $230 billion from the SNAP program.
Schumer explains that proposed cuts to SNAP would mean the costs of feeding families would shift to states who do not have the capacity to absorb the increase in expenses, risking families going hungry.
"SNAP is a lifeline that helps uplift everyone, from the NY farms who get direct assistance from the program to Western NY families’ kitchen tables. NY Republicans are tying themselves in knots to try to justify these SNAP cuts, but the math shows you cannot make the massive cuts the House’s tax bill proposes without risking the food security for thousands of families. I’m all for reducing any waste or fraud to make the program more efficient, but rushing to pass these massive damaging cuts with no plan while they slash our food banks is a recipe for disaster," stated Schumer.
Schumer says an average person on SPAPS would be left with only $5 a day to spend on food.
"Go to the supermarket. Can't buy a dozen eggs for $5 a day. That's what they think people can live on to pay tax breaks for billionaires. You expect our seniors to live for $5 a day, or a mother to be able to afford her kids? It's just awful. Well, the Scripture calls on all of us to open our hands and our hearts wide to those in need, to give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty. It teaches us that no one is exempt from this call, and that includes the federal government."
According to Schumer, these cuts would further strain Western New York food banks, which are still reeling from funding freezes and payment cancellations during the Trump administration.
"No matter which way you slice it, this Congressional Republican plan will screw Western New York families, food banks and farmers from farm to table. We need everyone to stand up to these cuts that would take away food from our neighbors in need."
FeedMore WNY is projecting a $3.5 million loss in food for 2025, after 12 critical deliveries of protein, dairy, and produce scheduled between May and August were canceled. The cancellations have resulted in the loss of more than 8,000 cases of food, including thousands of dozens of eggs.
"We hope for a day when we do not need millions of dollars in funding because the need in the community is lower – but that day is not today. Food insecurity remains a massive and growing problem across the country, including Western New York. Last year alone, more than 165,700 individuals relied on FeedMore WNY for food assistance, which was a 46 percent increase in just three years' time," stated Collin Bishop with FeedMore WNY. "In 2024, FeedMore WNY received more than $14.9 million in federal funding to purchase food for our food bank distribution network, offer community outreach with SNAP assistance, and provide prepared meals for our community dining sites and home-delivered meal clients. It is imperative that the federal government continue to fund and support food assistance programs including SNAP, TEFAP and Meals on Wheels."