As lawmakers in Washington consider a budget proposal to slash taxes, advocates in Minnesota are warning of the potential for devastating consequences for hundreds of thousands in the state.
The non-partisan Food Research and Action Center says more than 458,000 Minnesotans rely on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP , benefits to put food on the table. The non-profit says SNAP also offers nine meals to every one that a local pantry can provide.
The FRAC study also found that among the Minnesota households relying on SNAP benefits:
- 45% are with children
- 49% are with a person with a disability
- 35% have older adults in them
- 10,989 veterans rely on SNAP
The CEO of Second Harvest Heartland , Allison O’Toole, says she fears the impact of potential SNAP cuts during the budget talks in Washington. “We’ve seen food insecurity rates skyrocket in the last 4 years. We’re at an all-time high right now,” said O’Toole. “We are in a hunger crisis already. If these proposals are enacted, it’ll be catastrophic.”…