Urgent Alert: Bay Area Food Banks Warn Millions of Children and Seniors in California Face Hunger Due to Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

Bay Area food banks are raising urgent concerns about potential cuts to a vital federal food assistance program, which might strip away up to 9.5 billion meals each year across the nation. This could leave countless families hungry and further burden already struggling charities.

The proposed budget cuts from Congressional Republicans target the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports over 42 million Americans. Experts warn that eliminating about $300 billion in federal food benefits over the next decade could affect more than 7 million people, including 2 million children. This information comes from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a respected nonpartisan think tank.

At a gathering in San Jose, leaders from five major Bay Area food banks urged lawmakers to protect SNAP. Tanis Crosby, Executive Director of SF-Marin Food Bank, emphasized that SNAP is “the most effective anti-poverty tool we have in this country.”

Recent studies, like one from the Urban Institute, show that proposed changes could cut benefits entirely for nearly half a million families with members aged 55 to 64. Others would receive reduced assistance, hitting especially hard in California, where around 5.4 million residents depend on SNAP, locally known as CalFresh.

CEO Leslie Bacho of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley described the proposed cuts as “the greatest rollback of food assistance we’ve seen in modern U.S. history.” The demand for food assistance has already doubled since the pandemic, as people continue to struggle.

When emergency SNAP benefits were taken away in March 2023, food banks noticed an immediate surge in demand. Bacho reported that they saw lines grow significantly as soon as the enhanced benefits ended.

The cuts extend beyond just nutrition. Allison Goodwin, president of Redwood Empire Food Bank, pointed out that the loss of SNAP payments affects local economies too. Families buying groceries put money back into local businesses, creating jobs and supporting community growth.

Regi Young, Executive Director of the Alameda County Community Food Bank, highlighted how personal this issue is. He expressed disbelief that the wealthiest country would decrease its most successful hunger relief program. He argued that everyone should care about the implications.

Many proposed cuts are justified by claims of reducing waste and fraud, but the implications for communities are profound. The budget discussions are still ongoing, and Young emphasized the importance of community action. “It’s not over yet, but time is running out,” he said. Each person has a role in ensuring that families can access the resources they need and deserve.

For more information on food assistance and its impacts, check out reports from the California Budget Center.

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