Joint Statement on Pending SNAP Cuts

Press release

Joint Statement on Pending SNAP Cuts

Every day, as leaders of organizations deeply committed to the wellbeing of Connecticut residents, we witness the needs in our community in a deeply profound way. Today, we write with urgent and grave concern about the pending cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Barring a deal in Congress that would end the federal government shutdown, SNAP, which helps roughly one in eight Americans buy groceries, will lose funding this Saturday, November 1.

In Connecticut, more than 10% of the state's population rely on SNAP benefits to feed themselves, their families and their children. Across our state, 58,000 families are expected to lose at least $25 per month in SNAP benefits, with these families experiencing an average monthly benefit loss of $194. These cuts will have immediate and devastating consequences for thousands of families who are already struggling to put food on the table. Waterbury is projected to see over 4,600 families losing monthly benefits. Yet, impacts will reach beyond urban areas. In Connecticut, families receiving SNAP assistance span every corner of our state, and every one of our 169 towns have families and our neighbors receiving food assistance.

The Challenge Before Us
While we are grateful that Connecticut is stepping forward with $3 million in emergency funding to CT Foodshare, we must be clear-eyed about the scope of this crisis. This emergency allocation represents just a fraction of the $72 million in monthly costs required to fully fund SNAP benefits in Connecticut. The math is sobering, and the gap between need and resources is staggering.

The People Impacted
These are not just statistics. Behind every SNAP benefit cut is a parent deciding whether to skip meals so their children can eat, a senior citizen stretching their medication budget to afford groceries, a working family forced to choose between paying rent and buying food, and a child going to school hungry - unable to focus on learning because they don’t know when their next meal will come.

Our food banks and emergency food providers are already operating at capacity. They cannot absorb this level of increased demand without significant community support.

A Call to Action
This is a moment that demands action from all of us. Here's how you can help:

Donate to Your Local Food Bank - Financial contributions allow food banks to purchase nutritious food in bulk and respond quickly. Every dollar makes a difference, and every donation, whether $10, $100 or $10,000, helps feed a neighbor in need.

Organize a Food Drive - Rally your workplace, school, faith community, or neighborhood to collect non-perishable food items. Focus on nutritious, high-protein options like peanut butter, canned proteins, whole grain cereals, and canned vegetables and fruits.

Volunteer Your Time - Food banks need volunteers to sort donations, pack food boxes, and distribute meals. A few hours of your time can help feed dozens of families.

Advocate - Contact your elected representatives at the state and federal level. Let them know that food security is a priority for you and that all Connecticut families deserve to eat. Share your concerns on social media and in conversations with neighbors. Collective voices create change, and our elected officials need to hear that this issue matters to all of us.

Moving Forward Together
Food insecurity is not just a hunger issue – it's a health issue, an education issue, an economic issue, and a moral issue. Our neighbors, our seniors, our veterans, our children – no one should go hungry in our state. No one in Connecticut should have to choose between feeding their family, keeping a roof over their heads, or putting gas in the car to get to work.

The wise Ashleigh Brilliant, author and cartoonist, brilliantly reminded us that "Not being able to do everything is no excuse for not doing everything you can." And while we work toward systemic solutions, there are things – big and small – that each of us can do to help our neighbor have a meal.

The need is immediate. The stakes are high. The time to act is now.

We urge every person, every business, and every organization in Connecticut to join us in this critical effort.

To find your local food bank or learn how to help, visit:

• CT Foodshare: (www.ctfoodshare.org)
• United Way 211: Dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org
• Connecticut Community Foundation, ImpactNOW fund
• United Way of Greater Waterbury: SNAP Resources

Kathy Taylor, President and CEO Connecticut Community Foundation

Kristen Jacoby, President and CPO United Way of Greater Waterbury