Proposed SNAP Cuts Threaten Bucks County Families

Proposed SNAP Cuts Threaten Bucks County Families

Could you survive on $6 or less per day? What could you purchase?

It may sound like an impossible challenge, but this is the mountain that millions of Americans climb each and every day. The task could become much more Sisyphean if Congress passes the House’s budget proposal, which aims to eliminate at least $230 billion from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next ten years.

The Local Impact of SNAP Reductions

SNAP is a vital resource for many Bucks County families, providing essential assistance to purchase groceries. The proposed cuts indicate a 20% reduction in benefits, translating to fewer meals on the table for thousands of households.

With over 48,000 Bucks County residents currently relying on SNAP benefits to meet their basic nutritional needs, these cuts would likely exacerbate food insecurity and strain local support systems. Given that SNAP benefits are already modest, averaging around $6 per person per day, any decrease could have dire consequences in an uncertain economic landscape like ours.

Consider the story of a mother in our community who relies on SNAP to feed her family:

“As someone who relies solely on $210 a month in benefits to eat – with zero money spent on fast food (well, okay, so, my kid and I set aside $30 to SPLURGE a couple times a year when we just really need Panda Express), what I can tell you about that shopping cart is this: someone in line WILL say something about what you buy. Doesn’t matter – though in this case you’d likely be lectured about the health benefits of making your own pot pies from scratch and encouraged to grow your own veggies and bake from scratch as if you have that many hours available in your day when you’re hustling to survive.

“This is also where it becomes really clear as to why a lot of folks using food stamps lean into the non perishable food options, invariably more processed, but a bag of beans and bag of rice is an investment you make in your next month’s food choices. And those caffeinated drinks in a can don’t require a coffee maker, clean water and electricity. 

“But, you could have also filled the cart with the veggies to make pot pies and someone in line (or checking you out) WILL still find something to snark about. 

“Our household is bracing for the worst, we’re searching for deals on staples we can stock up on, because not being prepared isn’t an option.”

The Human Impact of Cutting SNAP Benefits

As Congress deliberates over just how much food they want to take away from impoverished families, a decade of hunger looms on the horizon. No matter the final number in the budget, the future of our nation’s families hangs in the balance. This budget slashing has been proposed under the guise of “efficiency” or “eliminating fraud.”

Make no mistake of the true intention: punish our impoverished neighbors and use the profits of their suffering to fund tax breaks for those at the other end of the economic spectrum. There are a myriad of other federal programs that wouldn’t feel the impact of such cuts, but those don’t assist disadvantaged communities. The cruelty is the point. It’s our responsibility to speak up on behalf of our neighbors whose voices have been dismissed, ignored, and suppressed.

No, SNAP Cuts Will Not Fix the Economy

SNAP accounted for just 1.84% of the most recent federal budget, so the program is not the financial burden that some make it out to be. Supporters of this harmful reduction defend the proposal by citing the broader long-term economic benefits it could provide. Claims like this are, at best, misinformed conjecture and, at worst, intentional deceit.

In fact, a recent study found that the proposed cuts to SNAP and Medicaid would precipitate major negative economic impacts. According to the Commonwealth Fund’s report, state gross domestic products (GDPs) would be $113 billion lower, exceeding federal budget savings. About 1.03 million jobs would be lost nationwide in health care, food-related industries, and other sectors. State and local governments would lose $8.8 billion in state and local tax revenues.

BCHG’s Comprehensive Support Amidst Uncertainty

At Bucks County Housing Group (BCHG), we recognize that food insecurity often intersects with other challenges such as housing instability and financial hardship. Our programs are designed to address these interconnected issues:​

  • Food Assistance: Operating two choice-based food pantries in Doylestown and Penndel, two mobile markets, and three community gardens, we provide nutritious food options to those in need.
  • Housing Services: With four shelters and 87 scattered-site rental units, our supportive housing programs assist families facing homelessness or housing crises.
  • Housing Counseling: Our HUD-certified counselors offer guidance on budgeting, credit repair, and navigating the housing market, empowering our neighbors to achieve long-term stability.

By addressing the root causes of poverty and instability, BCHG helps mitigate the impact of potential SNAP reductions, ensuring that our community members have the support they need to thrive.

What Can We Do?

It may be tempting to succumb to the feelings of dread and despair that these proposals elicit, but change does not come from wallowing – it comes from action. That’s why we remain committed to making every effort to close the door on hunger and homelessness in Bucks County.

You can join us in our mission by volunteering, holding a food drive, or simply sharing our posts on social media. Any form of advocacy makes a massive impact. Your donation to BCHG enables us to allocate resources where they’re needed most, whether that’s expanding our housing programs, enhancing our educational workshops, or bolstering our food assistance efforts.

With your support, we can lift up our neighbors in need, no matter what challenges lie ahead.

Written by

Nick Madson