More than 40,000 residents living in poverty in Philadelphia are poised to lose essential food benefits due to a recently passed domestic policy bill spearheaded by President Donald Trump.
This legislation, approved by House Republicans on Thursday, recently followed an unprecedented floor speech by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries that lasted 8 hours and 45 minutes.
The new bill, which received Senate approval on Monday, is set to drastically reduce federal funding for vital programs like Medicaid, clean energy initiatives, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Over the next decade, SNAP funding will be curtailed by approximately $290 billion, which is anticipated to have severe repercussions for millions of Americans.
According to reports from the New York Times, the bill makes it significantly more challenging for individuals to qualify for SNAP benefits while simultaneously reducing benefits for those who are eligible.
Among the most critical changes, the legislation mandates that individuals must now work until the age of 64 to qualify for SNAP, an increase from the previous requirement of age 54.
Furthermore, states will be tasked with absorbing some of the financial responsibilities associated with providing these benefits, a shift from the current model where the federal government covers all costs.
George Matysik, the executive director of Share Food Program, a major hunger-relief initiative based in Philadelphia, described the changes as a profound injustice.
He labeled the bill as a significant reduction in resources for vulnerable communities at a time when tax cuts are being extended to the wealthiest Americans.
“It’s incredibly unfortunate and disheartening that Congress and the President have made this very real choice to target the poorest in our society for these (tax) cuts,” Matysik stated.
Approximately 2 million residents in Pennsylvania rely on SNAP for grocery purchases for their families.
With the recent cuts, the state is compelled to find at least $125 million to continue running the program, creating uncertainty about its future viability.
Governor Josh Shapiro acknowledged this worrying reality in a recent press conference, stating, “Pennsylvania can’t backfill those cuts … There’s a real question as to whether or not we will be able to operate SNAP any longer.”
Statistics reveal that over 55,000 individuals residing in the five Congressional Districts of Southeastern Pennsylvania will lose access to SNAP benefits, with 42,756 of those individuals located in Philadelphia alone.
In neighboring New Jersey, the impact is also significant, as around 800,000 residents currently use SNAP benefits each month.
Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that an average of 42 million Americans receive monthly SNAP benefits, highlighting the gravity of these cuts amid soaring grocery prices and escalating food insecurity nationwide.
Matysik emphasized the dire consequences for children, noting that most SNAP households include children under 18.
In Philadelphia, one in three children currently lives below the poverty line, making the cuts particularly alarming for such a vulnerable demographic.
Additionally, Share Food Program has suffered a staggering $8.5 million loss in funding that was derived from either federal sources or federal grants allocated through the state.
Since the end of pandemic-related relief programs in 2022, there has been a remarkable 120% increase in the number of individuals seeking assistance through Share Food Program.
This nonprofit organization collaborates with community-based organizations and school districts to distribute food for those facing food insecurity, comprising children and seniors making up nearly half of their clientele.
The program operates in conjunction with government entities, wholesalers, farms, restaurants, and conducts food drives.
In 2024 alone, Share Food Program coordinated the distribution of over 30 million meals to individuals, families, and food pantries.
image source from：phillyvoice
