Vermont Faces Hunger Crisis: How Proposed Trump Administration Cuts to Food Assistance Impact Our Communities – VTDigger

Hunger is a serious issue in Vermont. According to Hunger Free Vermont, two out of five people in the state face food insecurity. Unfortunately, the situation could worsen. The Trump administration wants to cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps. A recent budget plan in the Senate could impact food assistance for 13,000 Vermonters, including many legal immigrants like refugees.

To see the effects of potential cuts, I visited the Capstone Community Action food shelf in Barre, the largest in central Vermont. It operates three days a week and draws around 800 to 1,000 visitors each month—double the pre-COVID numbers. Emmanuelle Soumailhan, the food shelf coordinator, expressed her worry. "If federal funds are cut, we might run out of food and money just when we need it the most," she said.

Stephanie Doyle, a mother relying on the food shelf, shared her struggles. Her SNAP benefits are insufficient to meet her family’s nutritional needs. “You can’t afford fresh fruits and vegetables when you’re trying to make ends meet,” she explained. She wants to ensure her daughter has the fuel to succeed in school.

Volunteers like retired school nurse Leslie Walz are deeply concerned about the cuts. “Many of these individuals have no stable housing. They rely on the food shelf,” she pointed out. Liz Scharf, who oversees community economic development and food security at Capstone, emphasized that charity cannot fill the gap left by lost federal funding. “We need to care for our communities, not prioritize wealth for a few,” Scharf added.

This issue reflects a broader crisis in America. As food prices continue to rise—recent reports indicate a 10% increase in grocery prices over the past year—more families are feeling the strain. A recent survey found that nearly 54% of Americans are worried about affording food in the upcoming months.

Social media trends show growing awareness and outrage about these potential cuts, with hashtags like #StopSNAPCuts trending among discussions. Many are urging lawmakers to prioritize help for those in need, especially during these tough economic times.

The urgency of supporting food programs in Vermont is clear. Many rely on SNAP and community food shelves to survive. Every day, volunteers and organizations work hard to ensure no one goes hungry. As the political landscape shifts, the fight for food security continues.

For more on food assistance and its challenges, see the official reports from Hunger Free Vermont and recent studies on food insecurity trends.

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