LANSING — Michigan food aid groups are warning that proposed cuts to SNAP — formerly known as food stamps — could lead to more Michigan families going hungry.
The potential cuts could reduce the size of the state’s program by nearly a quarter, which advocates say could jeopardize the wellbeing of tens of thousands across Michigan.
“Our vision is of a community where everyone has access to the healthy food that they need — and SNAP is the largest contributor of making sure that that happens,” said Taylor Moore, manager of Food Rescue, a program of Goodwill Northern Michigan.
Other advocates say that the federal budget bill could cut hundreds of millions of dollars from SNAP, potentially threatening an essential part of the social safety net.
“It provides food benefits to families experiencing economic hardship so they can supplement their grocery budget and afford to purchase nutritious food, which is essential for their health and wellbeing,” said Sarah Eighberger, a public health nutritionist at MSU Extension.
Nearly 1.5 million Michigan residents receive SNAP benefits, including half a million children, according to the nonpartisan State Budget Office. Nearly 60% of recipients are families with children, and more than a third of recipients have an elderly or disabled family member.
“The majority of people who benefit and use food assistance are low-income households with children, elderly or seniors and individuals with disabilities,” Eichberger said.
According to the Budget Office, the bill would cut up to $800 million from Michigan’s total SNAP budget of $3.2 billion.
Advocates say that a reduction of that size would be the largest in the history of the program, and likely spell trouble for struggling families around the state.
“This is always something that has just been critical in helping people stay afloat and to ensure that they don’t fall into food shortage or food insecurity,” said Kerry Baughman, executive director of Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency.
The federal government provides 100% of the funding for SNAP — but the proposed cuts mean that states or charities would likely have to step in to provide support.
“I don’t think this is anything that could be easily or simply made up at the state level,” Baughman said.
The Budget Office says that if Michigan does step in to make up some of the cuts, it’s unlikely the state could provide that level of support without cuts to education, public safety or Medicaid.
Aid groups also say that more people will likely have to rely on food banks for their meals, which have already seen increased use in recent years.
Still, they say they’ll continue working to provide help for those in need.
“We will be ensuring that our services are maintained,” Moore said. “We are confident that we will be able to maintain services, and we will provide as much food as possible to food pantries and meal sites in the region.”