We have an URGENT need to contact members of Congress to advocate for a critical issue - possible federal cuts in SNAP and support for school meals.

SNAP is a vital lifeline for over 42 million people — combating hunger, improving health, and boosting economic well-being. However, congressional leadership is proposing billions of dollars of cuts to the program that would worsen food insecurity and health outcomes, and strain local economies. 

SNAP is our nation’s first line of defense against hunger.  SNAP provides much more than just food assistance — it improves public health, bolsters economic stability, and ensures that vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities, do not go hungry.  Households with children removed from the program would lose direct certification for free school meals.  Research shows that access to SNAP leads to reduced child obesity and improved grades.

SNAP helps reduce health care costs, lowers psychological distress, and ensures older adults aren’t forced to choose between buying food or medicine, a struggle we see all too often.  Cutting SNAP would worsen health outcomes and increase medical costs, placing additional strain on health care systems and families already struggling to make ends meet.

Every dollar invested in SNAP generates up to $1.80 in economic activity during an economic downturn.  Cutting this program would not only harm families but also weaken local economies, particularly in rural and low-income areas that depend on the economic stimulus SNAP provides.

Cutting SNAP benefits will force more families into food insecurity, increasing demand on food banks and local charities that are already stretched thin.  For every nine meals that SNAP provides, food charities supply just one — demonstrating that these organizations cannot absorb the loss of SNAP benefits.  Moreover, grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and food retailers rely on SNAP dollars to sustain their businesses. A reduction in benefits would ripple through our economy, resulting in business closures and job losses — which would further increase food insecurity.

We cannot afford to let these cuts happen. I urge you to support policies that protect and strengthen SNAP and speak out and vote against any proposals to reduce or weaken SNAP and its funding. Protecting SNAP is not just about food — it is about people and families and the loss of food on their kitchen tables — in addition to the impact the cuts would have on public health, economic resilience, and the well-being of our communities.

 In NYS, 1 in 5 students is food insecure.  Cutting access to SNAP and federal dollars which support school meals will have a devastating impact on our children. 

TAKE ACTION and email your members of Congress TODAY!