Food pantries can’t make up the gaps from cutting SNAP
SNAP protects communities
Food banks are a useful community resource for people who need help putting food on the table. They show that in Connecticut, we care about each other. But as we saw when SNAP benefits disappeared during the federal shutdown in November, they can’t fill the gap that cutting SNAP will leave behind.
“I struggle with high food prices, and I use the area food banks,” Barbara, in East Hartford, told us. “They are struggling to [have] enough food.”
When asked by Connecticut Project grantee DataHaven, 16% of people in Connecticut said there was at least one time in the last year when they didn’t have enough money to buy food. One in four people with children in the home didn’t have enough to buy food, and 23% of people with a disability didn’t have enough. For people who were struggling, 31% had trouble nearly every month, and 48% ran out of money for food more than three months out of the year.
Within the last year, 11% of people in Connecticut used a food pantry, soup kitchen, or emergency service to get groceries, according to DataHaven. About one in four people with a disability used one.
If you are in need, we have a resource guide explaining the changes to SNAP and where you can get help finding food.
More people will need to lean on food banks if SNAP is cut and if the state doesn’t cover the gaps of people who lose SNAP due to federal work requirement changes. In November, the federal government shutdown crisis showed that when SNAP isn’t available, community resources aren’t enough to keep everyone fed. As a state, we can’t afford to lose SNAP and force people to go hungry. The legislature must step in this session to fund SNAP so that people can get groceries on their own time, buy the type of food they need, and not overwhelm food banks.
Food pantries work hard to keep people fed. But they rely on donations and volunteers, have limited space, aren’t open all the time, and might not have refrigerators to stock fresh items like fresh meat, milk, cheese, fruits, and vegetables. While they are valuable in communities, they can’t replace SNAP, which helps people anonymously, at any day and time, and gives residents access to fresher food that meets their medical and dietary needs. A food pantry might not always have groceries people with food allergies or medical needs require. And SNAP dollars go directly toward our local grocery stores and farmers, helping local economies.
“Free food banks that are abundant in CT can be humiliating,” Olive, in New Haven, said. “The SNAP card preserves human dignity.”
People who don’t have a license or a car, or who live in rural areas, can’t always get to a bank to get help.
“I don’t drive, so I can’t go to a food bank, and I’m embarrassed to even say that,” J. said.
A new report estimates that 58,000 households in the state will lose at least $25 a month in SNAP benefits when federal changes to SNAP go into effect. The average household that will lose benefits will see $194 less a month to buy groceries.
In total, one in four Connecticut families using SNAP are at risk of losing money for groceries.
Christina, who lives in New Haven, has stood in lines in the snow and rain to get food from a food bank. Being able to buy her own groceries means she can get food that her family likes, keeps them healthy, and fits their special diets.
“It’s been the reason we’re able to eat how we eat,” she said. “I have spent time in different food pantries, and most don’t provide things my kids would even eat.”
Others told us they are embarrassed to be seen at a food pantry, that they can’t find food there that meets their dietary needs for health conditions, are concerned about the quality of the food, and that banks didn’t answer the phone during the shutdown because they were overwhelmed.
It’s hard to get to a pantry, even before the shutdown and SNAP cuts.
“I’ve had to take days off work to attend certain appointments and be there for food pantry times,” S., in East Hartford, said.
Food banks help people who temporarily need help, but also can fill the gap between what people receive in SNAP and how much the rising price of food costs.
“Without it, I would starve and rely on food pantries, [where] the food is either near or past expiration date,” Bill, in Waterbury said. “Which isn’t healthy or sanitary.”
Tens of thousands of people in Connecticut are losing SNAP because of new, unfair federal rules. Without help, Justin said he’ll have to hunt for his food, rely on churches, and eat out of the trash.
“It’s a hassle to go to the food pantries, and I’m walking miles on foot to go to food pantries whether it’s cold, hot, or burning outside,” he said. “Even when I’m sick and down.”
Without SNAP, parents like S., in Waterbury, said they’ll have to skip meals so their children can eat.
“I would have had to depend more heavily on food pantries, which are not always consistent or enough to cover a family’s needs,” she said.
It gives her peace of mind that she doesn’t have to choose between paying for medicine, a bill, and groceries.
“Without it, I know my children’s nutrition, growth, and overall health would have suffered,” she said.
Taking food away from working class people, including moms, children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities, is wrong, unfair, and cruel. Tell your legislators now to protect SNAP.
