If implemented, proposed cuts through the U.S. budget reconciliation process could slash SNAP food assistance that currently serve over 40 million people.
In FY25 budget resolution processes, cuts of $230 billion to agriculture programs – the vast majority of which is expected to come from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – have been proposed. These cuts would slash SNAP by more than 20% and could cut some low-income children off from receiving vital school meals. The proposed cuts would either reduce benefits for all participants, expand work or bureaucratic requirements, remove approximately nine million people from the program entirely, or force states to shoulder benefit costs. Local food pantries and meal programs—many operated by Lutheran congregations—cannot fill the enormous gap that would be created by these cuts.
This Action Alert is part of a Lenten Action Series, an opportunity to take advocacy action as part of your Lenten practice. Our baptismal calling to "serve all people," following the example of Christ, has urgent meaning as significant challenges are surfacing to programs that are working to curb hunger in our communities and provide access to food for families across the United States.
Share your values and experiences with elected officials to urge rejection of such cuts by customizing the following message. Contact your representatives today to oppose these harmful cuts to nutrition programs. Expand your impact by including state-level data from your location compiled by Food and Research Action Center (FRAC), in which the ELCA is a supporter. Your message may look ahead to urge a robust Farm Bill, which authorizes most federal policies governing food and agriculture programs including SNAP.
Thank you for your advocacy.
