America’s Looming Food Bank Crisis
“America’s food banks are facing a looming crisis under President Donald Trump‘s administration as proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits get closer to becoming a reality.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, food banks have already experienced a surge in demand as Americans grapple with rising living costs. Despite low unemployment, inflation has outpaced wage growth, and grocery prices have surged nearly 28 percent over five years, straining household budgets.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank told Newsweek that over the last three years, the number of people it serves across its 29-county network has increased by 60 percent—now helping 240,000 households every month.
America’s food banks, which helped feed an estimated 50 million people in 2023, are now set to face another challenge. SNAP is facing myriad changes under the current administration, including state-levied restrictions on what can be bought using the anti-poverty benefit, and looming budget cuts ordered by Congress that could also push up the number of people facing reliance on charity to feed themselves and their families.”
Read more at Newsweek.