KALAMAZOO, Mich. — As the federal pause on SNAP benefits continues, some Michigan families are feeling the impact in ways that go beyond the grocery aisle — especially those caring for the state’s most vulnerable children.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), there are nearly 10,000 children in foster care across the state, with almost 200 still waiting for a permanent family. Many of those families depend on federal food assistance programs, like SNAP and WIC, to maintain stability.
- MDHHS: In Michigan, there are approximately 10,000 children in foster care
In Kalamazoo, Family and Children Services is an organization that’s been serving families for more than 100 years and they say they’re bracing for the ripple effects.
Diane Marquess, CEO of Family and Children Services, has worked in child and family welfare for more than 30 years. She says the pause on SNAP benefits could discourage potential foster parents from stepping forward…